It was a day of tears and sadness in Pelikan Park on Saturday when 12-year-old Michaela Williams was laid to rest.
Her home in Crane Street, New Horizon, was packed with mourners and there was not a dry eye when children from the New Horizon Community Squad marched to the house.
The squad was led by Shiloh Harrison, 13, the drum majorette, who handed over a photo of Michaela to her bereaved mother, Beatrice Adams, moments before her white coffin was carried out of the house to the River Tabernacle Church in Kudu Avenue, Lotus River.
Michaela had been raped and bashed to death and police found her body hidden underneath branches along 9th Avenue in Schaapkraal, Philippi, on 9 January.
REST PEACEFULLY: Michaela Williams, 12. Picture: Brendan Magaar/ANA
Her alleged killer, aged 48, led cops to the crime scene two days after she vanished from outside her home while playing with friends.
The same man had been released on parole in 2018, after being convicted for 20 years for the rape and attempted murder of his friend’s eight-year-old daughter in the Hyde Park informal settlement in Tafelsig in 2005.
The suspect is expected back in court on April 14 and remains in custody.
The court ordered that he may not be named until after an identity parade is held.
The church was packed with hundreds of mourners, as a projector screened happy moments of Michaela’s short life.
Her aunt Judy said her murder was the greatest tragedy to hit their family and has left them shattered: “Yes, there was a sickness but never such a violent death, but God knows best. We will miss her very much.”
Her eulogy was followed by a beautiful poem. Her friend and classmates read: “We think of you in silence, we often speak your name. All we have is memories and your picture in a frame. Michaela, God has you in His keeping and you will forever be in our hearts.”
Staff of Klip Road Primary School and her church dance ministry were also in attendance.
Girls Ministry Director, Lorraine Adons, Michaela’s spiritual dance teacher, says: “She (Michaela) was a very obedient child and you could ask her to do anything. She loved dancing and being part of everything here at the church.”
GONE TO SOON: Michaela's white coffin in church. Picture: Brendan Magaar/ANA
The mother of the suspect’s first victim, Patricia Japhta, also attended proceedings and said she had warned authorities the suspect will kill again.
HEARTBREAKING: Michaela's mom, Beatrice Adams. Picture: Brendan Magaar/ANA
“I am 100 percent with this family because for me also, it is like an old wound which has opened up and it takes me back to 15 years ago.”
Michaela was laid to rest at Klip Road Cemetery.
genevive.serra@inl.co.za