Mother denies child death rumours

SLAIN 3-year-old Courtney Pieters’ mother has denied any involvement in killing her daughter after rumours surfaced that she was having an affair with the man charged with the little girl’s rape and murder.

Juanita Pieters spoke freely when the Cape Times visited at her home in Elsies River yesterday just after an angry crowd baying for her blood had dispersed.

“I have no idea how I am going to get over the death of my daughter. Just last night I was in the kitchen and I heard her crying. I still hear her calling ‘mommy’. This is really tough for me and people spreading rumours of my involvement in Courtney’s killing and having an affair with Mortimer is untrue. He and I hardly got along,” Pieters said.

Police had to escort Courtney’s parents out of Goodwood Magistrate’s Court yesterday after protesters threatened to attack the family.

Family spokesperson Roegshanda Pascoe said a group of people who attended the court proceedings later gathered at the Pieters’ home “wanting to attack Juanita”.

The angry mob called on Courtney’s mother Juanita Pieters to come out of her Pluto Street home.

Threatening

“I arrived late at court but when I did, I saw a group of people standing outside court threatening to hurt Juanita. There was a specific lady instigating the aggression outside court and I decided to stay outside instead of going into the courtroom. These people wanted Juanita to speak to them outside and demean herself by thanking them for helping during the search. However, by the same token people now also want to know exactly what the family received as donations so far,” Pascoe said.

The family of murder and rape accused Mortimer Saunders appointed private attorney Tanya Nöckler and the case has been postponed to August 24 for further investigation. Saunders will remain in custody.

Courtney went missing on May 4 and was found nine days later in a shallow grave in Bofors Circle, Epping Industria.