Man accused of killing orphan, 7
A MAN accused of murdering a 7-year-old orphan, his neighbour, appeared in court on Tuesday while hundreds of residents protested outside.
Laston Moodley, 26, from Waterloo, appeared calm as he stood before magistrate Irfaan Khallil in the dock of the Verulam Family Court.
The child, Sthembile Amanda Mila, a Grade 2 pupil, was found naked near a passage in Waterloo on Saturday.
In the same suburb in June, a Verulam man was arrested after he allegedly held his 10-year-old stepdaughter captive in their home, used her as a sex slave and prostituted her to other men to supplement his income. The child was also allegedly subjected to sexual acts with sex toys. The mechanic, 43, was apprehended by security company Reaction Unit SA (Rusa) and is being held in Westville Prison.
In the latest matter, the prosecutor, advocate San Bhartu, said the accused had stabbed the child in the chest. “Witnesses saw the victim enter the accused’s premises, thereafter they saw the accused drag her body out of his house and leave her in the passage,” Bhartu said. “An adult was informed and the child was taken to Osindisweni Hospital and later transferred to Addington Hospital where she died.”
Bhartu said additional charges may be added after the post-mortem on the child has been done.
As Bhartu read out the charge, the girl’s family, who were sitting in the public gallery, broke down in tears. Her aunt, Zinhle Myaka, sobbed uncontrollably while others shook their heads in disbelief.
Khalil said the death of anyone was a serious matter but the courtroom was unable to accommodate hundreds of people outside.
Khalill said he would do his best to ensure proceedings were conducted in an open and transparent manner.
A spokesperson for the girl’s family, Niniza Shandu, said the child did not have parents and was cared for by her grandmother, 60.
“She was a loving and playful child. We want justice for our child. Too many children are dying. This needs to stop.”
The accused was remanded until his bail application on August 10.