Cape Town - The usually quiet town of Bredasdorp was a hive of activity on Wednesday morning as residents milled around outside Kallies Pub during an inspection in loco to retrace the final moments of dead teenager Anene Booysen.
Reporters, police and residents stood on the corner of Bastiaan Street and chatted while waiting for the judge and prosecutors to arrive.
Just before 11am Judge Patricia Goliath and prosecutor Maria Marshall arrived, along with Johannes Kana.
He is appearing in the Swellendam Circuit Court on charges of rape and murder. In June he pleaded guilty to the rape but not the murder of Anene, 17. The court changed his plea to not guilty.
Surrounded by police Kana stepped out of a police van with shackles on his ankles.
Witness Chrisna Mentoor showed the judge where they were standing outside the pub on the night of Anene’s rape, next to the door of the pub.
Residents gathered outside the pub to support the families of both Anene and Kana.
Resident Mina Sarels said she was there to support the Kana family.
“We heard that they would be here today and just wanted to support Kana who lived with me for some time.”
Police condoned off parts of the road as proceedings began. Residents of the village continued to gather outside the pub until they formed a fairly large crowd.
Cape Argus