The Bardien family, from Eastridge, are relieved that the man accused of the murder of Aniesa Bardien, is finally facing trial.
The decomposed body of Ms Bardien, who was 37 when she died, was found in a shallow grave at Strandfontein beach in January 2013. It took three months for DNA tests to confirm her identity.
The courtroom at Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court was packed with friends and family who had come to support the family on Monday July 17.
Ms Bardien’s distraught sister, Ellen, said she had been devastated by the death of her sister and expressed relief that the man who stood accused of her murder, was being held in custody. “He must rot in jail,” she said. “I want justice to take its course,” she said.
She confirmed the suspect was her sister’s ex-boyfriend. “I know him. He used to come to the house to see my sister,” she said.
Appearing in court wearing khaki tracksuit bottoms and a jersey, the man looked calm and reserved, avoiding eye contact with those in the gallery.
Describing the man as a “dangerous person”, Magistrate Walter Golding denied him bail, based on the seriousness of the charges he faced.
“There are another two cases added which were pending which makes four cases – the case of intimidation and extortion, two counts of rape and murder,” explained Magistrate Golding.
He also urged the media not to publish the suspect’s photo as he would be appearing in an identity parade.
Magistrate Golding said three of the four cases were postponed to Friday August 4, while the other had been postponed to tomorrow, Thursday July 20.
Media liaison for the Mitchell’s Plain Crisis Forum (MPCF), Faizel Brown said they were shocked that someone who had committed such atrocities, lived among them.
“The fact that he was doing this for a long time without being prosecuted is more shocking to us. We will ensure that he stays in custody and doesn’t get bail.
“In the cases that are linked him, we will ensure that we assist those families and victims by giving them full support,” said Mr Brown.
“We also want the family to know that we are fully behind them and we will walk with them during this ordeal.” Co-ordinator of the MPCF Joanie Fredericks described the man as an organised criminal.
“Every time he appears in court, we will mobilise community members to come in numbers to (oppose) his bail,”she said.
