Cape Town -A man accused of killing his girlfriend's one-year-old daughter has asked for medical attention after he was apparently assaulted in jail.
Peter van Tonder, 35, a suspected drug addict, made his first appearance at the Bellville Magistrate's Court on a charge of murder yesterday after being arrested at his workplace on Tuesday.
Prosecutors aim to prove Van Tonder beat and burnt his girlfriend's tiny daughter, Asheeqah Scott, in Kalossie Street, Roosendal, Delft on Saturday.
The child was rushed to Red Cross Children's Hospital the same night, but passed away on Sunday due to brain damage.
Van Tonder emerged from the holding cells wearing blue jeans and a top, and had badly bruised eyes.
He immediately informed the court that he had been assaulted by prisoners and asked for medical attention.
The magistrate agreed to his request, and ordered Van Tonder remain at Bellville Police Police station holding cells until September 15 for his next appearance.
Shakiera Scott, the baby's mother, sat within touching distance of Van Tonder in court.
The two have been dating for five months, and Shakiera said she left the child in Van Tonder's care for less than two hours on Saturday while she was busy with chores.
Asheeqah's angry grandmother, Farieda Scott, had no sympathy for her grandchild's alleged killer.
"He wants to complain that his body is sore but how didn't that baby suffer" she fumed.
"He must still go to the cells the weekend, then he is going to see what they are going to do to him."
Van Tonder's father was also at court but didn't want to speak to the Daily Voice.
Daily Voice