Cape Town - A Cape Flats pastor has been charged with the murder of a Mitchells Plain woman four years ago.
Pastor Keith Bird, from Lost City in Tafelsig, was arrested last month for the murder of Aniesa Bardien, 37.
Aniesa disappeared from her home in Bloubos Street, Eastridge on 7 January 2013.
Three months later, her decomposed body was found in a shallow grave at Strandfontein beach. DNA tests confirmed it was the missing woman.
It was Bird’s first court appearance since his arrest on 22 June.
He has been charged with Aniesa’s murder, two counts of rape that took place in 2014 and 2016, and intimidation and extortion also having taken place in 2016.
It is alleged Bird lured his victims with the promise of a job.
Bird stood calmly in the dock of a packed Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court room on Monday.
“The State opposed bail because of the seriousness of the charges of rape. An identity parade will be held for the rape charge and the State therefore asks that no pictures be taken of the accused,” the court heard.
Bird’s lawyer, Advocate Vallie, raised concerns that people in the public gallery have already seen his client.
“This courtroom is full of people, we don’t know whether the people in court are part of this case and how it will affect the value of the case regarding the identity parade,” Vallie said.
Judge Walter Golding told the accused: “Mr Bird, you have four cases before court. Three of the matters will be postponed till 4 August; the other matter will be postponed till 20 July for the purpose of an identification parade.
“You will go back to Pollsmoor till 20 July and on that day the identity parade will be held at the prison.”
Turning to the media, Golding said: “Also I ask that no photos be published because of this matter.”
According to her family, Aniesa’s body was found face down in bushes by children in April 2013.
Her sister, Asa Bardien, said the last time the family saw Aniesa was on 7 January 2013.
“It was our nephew’s third birthday and Aniesa said that she was going to her friend’s place for the night.
“She promised she would be back the next day since then we have searched for her.”
Outside court on Monday, the Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum (MCF) joined community members who stood with placards demanding that bail for Bird be denied.
MCF coordinator, Joanie Fredericks, says Bird has never left the police’s radar.
“Bird was the suspect in Aniesa’s murder at that time, but was let go because there was no evidence against him. He was arrested in June because police found conclusive evidence linking him to the murder,” Fredericks says.
“A girl from Freedom Park who knows him then stepped forward and said he had raped her in 2014. The identity parade on Thursday is in connection with another rape in 2016.
“Seeing this guy and seeing that there is absolutely no remorse, the fact that he was well-prepared with his advocate says he is a calculated person.”
She asked for other alleged victims to step forward and speak out.
“People need to know if they don’t come out now it will be very difficult for him to be convicted.”
Aniesa’s sister, Ellen Bardien, 46, says their family needs closure.
“We’ve been grieving four years and prayed the culprit does not get away. I am just glad he had been caught,” she says.
“This is going to be a long trial but we just want justice to be served.”