Murder accused was a close family friend
40-year-old suspect was renting a room inside victim’s home
AFORTY-year old man, who was arrested on Sunday night in connection with the murder of three-year-old Courtney Pieters, rented a room inside her family home. The whole family called him ‘uncle’ as they treated him like family. He had been staying with them for two years and he was the friend of Courtney’s father. The man was reported to be on the run during the wreath-laying ceremony which took place on Sunday.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said investigators worked around the clock to track down the suspect in Courtney’s murder. Her body was found on Saturday in Bofors Circle, Epping Industries. A suspect was arrested last night.
“The 40-year-old suspect was arrested at Saturn Close, Salberau, Elsies Rivier and once he has been charged he is expected to appear in Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder.”
“We were shocked and very disappointed, he should have been her protector as he knew her, they had a good relationship,” said Magdelene Petersen, Courtney’s aunt.
Petersen described the suspect as “a relaxed person. He knew how to address people and his manners attracted people to him. He respected Courtney’s family. He was a very decent man who has been friends with Courtney’s father since childhood and worked at a call centre.
“For Courtney’s father, Aaron, this hasn’t sunk in, a lot of people were asking us if we trust him and if he might not have been involved… we defended him because we thought we knew him. My niece loved him as he would buy chips and sweats. He would call her to the room to watch cartoons as he had DSTV. That was my son’s room but he moved out for him. Courtney was an introvert, she wouldn’t take anything from strangers.”
When the Cape Argus went into the house, the disappointed and embarrassed parents of the suspect were on their way out. They went to apologise and console the family. The suspect’s father is a known priest. Courtney’s aunt said they were happy that the family was not arrogant but came to share their pain and loss, she said.
Jaonie Fredericks, the coordinator of Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum and Chairperson for the Manenberg Safety Forum, Roegshanda Pascoe, said they are urging the community to stop spreading rumours on social networks that the body of the three-year-old was found with bruises and she was stabbed as this might affect the case.