Cape Town - President Cyril Ramaphosa has "instructed" police minister Bheki Cele to investigate the allegations against the police's inability to help during the search of an eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk.
Just a day after Ramaphosa visited the home of the Van Wyk family in Connaught Estate in Clare Street, Elsies River, Cele also visited the family under the president's instruction.
Cele first went for a briefing at the Ravensmead Police Station, where Tazne's case was handled, before meeting with the family to hear the allegations posed by the family.
The Van Wyk family told President Ramaphosa that the police were unable to help them during the search of their little Tazne.
According to the parents, Terence Manuel and Carmen van Wyk, the police did not handle their matter with caution, "they were not present during the searches, they did not communicate well with them" and said there were always miscommunication as to who should receive the information of their child first, them (parents) or the public.
Manuel alleged that the investigative officer was hostile towards him, "to a point that the officer suspected me of kidnapping my own child but when the child was found they did not even come to us until I called them myself".
Cele said the allegations were also raised to the president on Tuesday, and said Ramaphosa instructed him to look into the matter.
"We will pursue the investigation and we will brief the family and the report will go to the president," he said.
Just a day after Ramaphosa visited the home of the Van Wyk family in Connaught Estate in Clare Street, Elsies River, Cele also visited the family under the president's instruction. Picture: Sisonke Mlamla/Cape Argus
Just a day after Ramaphosa visited the home of the Van Wyk family in Connaught Estate in Clare Street, Elsies River, Cele also visited the family under the president's instruction. Picture: Sisonke Mlamla/Cape Argus
Police Minister Bheki Cele with Tazne van Wyk's parents, Terence Manuel and Carmen van Wyki n Connaught Estate in Clare Street, Elsies River. Picture: Sisonke Mlamla/Cape Argus
The outrage and shock over the killing of Tazne still continues, and attention has now turned to the early release of sex offenders and repeat criminals on parole.
Moehydien Pangaker, 54, the man accused of the murder of Tazne, of Connaught Estate has a long list of previous offences, including murder of a minor, but was paroled every time.
Pangaker had been convicted and released 11 times and he was still able to get parole.
Community Safety MEC Albert fritz said he would ask the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, Johan Brand, to urgently investigate why Pangaker was released, and would also contact the National Prosecuting Authority and the office of inspecting judge "as they have more clout in terms of parole".
After returning to Cape Town from Cradock, Eastern Cape Pangaker the suspect appeared in Goodwood Magistrates Court, and the case had been postponed until April 17, pending the police investigation.
Just a day after Ramaphosa visited the home of the Van Wyk family in Connaught Estate in Clare Street, Elsies River, Cele also visited the family under the president's instruction. Picture: Sisonke Mlamla/Cape Argus
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