Bleak Christmas for Cuburne’s family

Cuburne van Wyk's grandmother Daphne Fredericks outside Boksburg court after a case against her three-year-old grandson's alleged killer dragged on for 5th January 2015.805 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 2014/12/17

Cuburne van Wyk's grandmother Daphne Fredericks outside Boksburg court after a case against her three-year-old grandson's alleged killer dragged on for 5th January 2015.805 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 2014/12/17

Published Dec 18, 2014

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Johannesburg -

This will be the first Christmas that Daphne Fredericks doesn’t celebrate with her grandson, Cuburne van Wyk.

The 3-year-old boy disappeared on August 6 while playing with his siblings in Reiger Park, Boksburg.

His body was discovered at a mine dump by a passer-by three days later.

At the time of his disappearance, the toddler was wearing a blue tracksuit with yellow and red stripes.

Cuburne died as a result of multiple head injuries and burn wounds, police said at the time.

Nathaniel Katlego Mpoku was arrested and charged with the boy’s murder.

During Mpoku’s appearance at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, the State postponed the matter to January 5 yesterday.

This was after the State told the court that the National Director of Public Prosecutions needed more time to decide on the matter.

Mpoku was remanded in custody.

Speaking outside court, Fredericks said she had hoped that yesterday’s proceedings would lead to closure.

“How do you even think of Christmas or New Year? We don’t know the truth of what really happened. Every time we come here, the case is postponed. I am no longer well. We want to know what happened. That is all,” said Fredericks, who was wearing a T-shirt bearing an image of the boy’s face.

She told a group of reporters outside the court that Cuburne’s death had affected her health badly.

“I get sick… when I think of it. I cannot handle the situation any longer,” she said, adding that the family still had faith in the justice system.

“We cannot say if it is him (Mpoku) or not. What we only know is that he was seen leaving with the child.”

Cuburne’s mother Lizelle broke down in tears as Fredericks spoke of her frustration at the delays in the case.

Friends and relatives were there to support them.

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