[Editors note: Moyhdian Pangkaeker is also referred to as Moehydien Pangaker. The Cape Argus has made an editorial choice to refer to the accused as the former.]
Cape Town - Moyhdian Pangkaeker is set to return to court on Wednesday following a damning probation officer’s report heard in the Western Cape High Court.
On Monday, sentencing proceedings for Moyhdian Pangkaeker, convicted of rape, murder, kidnap and mutilation of Tazne van Wyk was postponed to Wednesday following the testimony of a probation officer.
The probation officer’s report, read out from a sealed “confidential” file, detailed mitigating factors suggesting to the court an appropriate time for Pangkaeker to spend behind bars.
It detailed Pangkaeker’s fractured relationship with his family, and his history as a wayward traveller, moving from city to city for “employment”.
It said Nazli Pangkaeker, his twin sister, was not able to say much about him as a person but related to the cognitive problems they both face, having been raised in the same household.
She described him as being oppressive and using his fist instead of words when faced with a confrontation. The sister stated the accused and his elder brother had similar stubborn and aggressive behavioural mannerisms.
Pangkaeker, 58, is not mentally disabled and was in his full mental capacity when he committed his crimes, the report stated.
In October 2022, Pangkaeker was found guilty of 21 offences, including the rape, murder, kidnap and mutilation of the Ravensmead girl, along with offences against his relatives.
The officer recommended a custodial sentence for Pangkaeker due to his previous convictions, including culpable homicide.
Pangkaeker would benefit from rehabilitation while serving his sentence, but due to his age, he should not be allowed to re-enter society again, the report said.
It noted that community interest was of absolute importance considering the violent acts perpetrated against children.
The report stated: “At the time of the interviews, the accused appeared to be well and healthy with no apparent physical or psychological illness.”
As observed during the trial, the officer suggested that Pangkaeker somehow refuses to remember the name Tazne van Wyk. “He was also unable to recall the name of the deceased in question, and says he only heard it during court proceedings.
“The accused stated he had been assaulted by gangsters in prison who had questioned him about the ase.
“His chronological age of 58 years should provide him with the impetus to dissuade him from re-offending.
“The accused, however, has not accepted responsibility for his actions and not demonstrated any remorse.
“Tazne’s death may have been the first of many other violent, brutal acts, if Pangkaeker hadn’t been stopped in his tracks.”