A judge has called convicted child killer Melvin Volkwyn “a monster covered in candy floss” as she sentenced him to 20 years in the mang for the murder of toddler Orderick Lucas in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
A visibly shocked Volkwyn shook his head as acting Judge Nolundi Nyati said: “The state is adamant that he operated like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The accused’s actions are indeed that of a monster covered in candy floss.”
The boy was last seen on 24 March 2019 but it was only four days later when his mother, Davedine, discovered he was missing.
On 2 April 2019, his tiny body was discovered in a drain a street away from his ouma’s home and Volkwyn was charged with his murder.
This follows claims by Davedine that he was the last person to care for the one-year-old.
Volkwyn has denied this throughout the trial, insisting he handed the child back to her.
Standing in the dock, Volkwyn shook his head in disagreement as Nyati summarised the arguments by the defence and the state.
Nyati said while Volkywn had previously been found guilty of drug-related offences, this was the first time he had been charged with murder.
She described Orderick as an innocent, harmless and vulnerable child who she says died a slow death before he was murdered.
Nyati said Volkwyn was not remorseful for his actions as he continued living his life as normal for eight days before Orderick’s body was found.
TRONK TOE: Convicted child killer Melvin Volkwyn. Video: Monique Duval
Nyati slammed those who knew that his family had violated a court order.
“Crimes against women and children are a national pandemic.
“I agree with the defence counsel when she argued that the community failed baby Orderick,” said the judge.
“Had they played an active role and informed the social workers when they saw Cornelia Scheepers, the grandmother, give the children to their mother this tragic outcome could have been avoided.
“The community knew about Davedine’s poor parenting skills but this was not brought to the attention of social workers.”
Nyati said the defence had not brought compelling evidence to deviate from the minimum sentence of 15 years and slapped Volkwyn with a 20-year sentence as he cried in the dock.
Outside court, Davedine said she did not believe 20 years behind bars was enough for her son’s killer.
“I feel it is not enough because he was just a baby, but it’s better than nothing.
“He [Orderick] won’t come back. I thought he would maybe get 25 years.
“It’s not that I am disappointed, but he was a baby and he strangled him.”
She said now that the case is over, the family and Orderick can finally rest and get closure.
The mother of four confirmed that she and her family are still facing charges at the Blue Downs Children’s Court for violating a court order by taking Orderick away from his ouma’s care.