The mother of murdered eight-year-old Tazne Van Wyk has been hospitalised after learning of the young girl’s death.
Relatives say Carmen, 28, collapsed and was rushed to the day hospital on Thursday morning.
Ouma Theresa Manuel says the traumatised woman fainted: “she fainted and was taken to hospital. She is in and out of consciousness.”
As hundreds of residents gathered outside her parent's home this morning, dad Terence, 31, was seen sitting in an upstairs room.
Angry and emotional community members at the home of Tazne van Wyk. Picture Courtney Africa/African News Agency(ANA)
News of the young girl’s death broke on Thursday morning after her alleged murderer and kidnapper, Moehydien Pangaker, 54, pointed out the body to police on Wednesday night following his arrest in Cradock on Monday.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that Tazne’s body was found in the stormwater pipe outside Worcester
“Further interviewing of the suspect by detectives led to the gruesome discovery of the body of the child in a stormwater pipe outside Worcester on Wednesday evening as pointed out by him.”
At the family’s home in Ravensmead, residents expressed their anger at police as well as President Cyril Ramaposa.
Family spokesperson, Samantha Viljoen says Pangaker, who was charged with the murder of his toddler son in Ladismith in 2001, should have stayed in the mang.
“We want to ask the president and everyone who had a hand in releasing him, who’s next?
“We would not be going through this if they had just kept this man inside (prison),” says the angry woman.
“He wasn’t in for a robbery he was in for murder, he was in for rape and they let a man like that out (of prison) and now the taxpayer has to pay for him to stay inside.
“Is that fair Mr president, is that fair?
Samantha adds: “Your children can’t play outside, is this how our children must grow up?
“ Ons moet ons kinders hou in die huis, dit is nie reg nie. Maar hy (Pangaker) gaan nou n lekker lewe het, ons werk nou vir hom die een wat ons kinders dood gemaak het.
“I hope the people who had a hand in his release see the family’s tears,” she says.
Taxi drivers are currently taking some relatives to the scene in Worcester where Tazne’s body was found to help them get closer.
Pangaker will be charged with murder and is expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates' court on Friday.
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