Man accused of killing Tazne van Wyk has long list of crimes including child abuse

Cape Town - Moehydien Pangaker was charged on Friday with the kidnapping and murder of Tazne van Wyk, 8, has been incarcerated five times, twice in Pollsmoor Prison.

The 54-year-old's arrest this week angered Tazne's family as well as her community with people questioning how a convicted murderer ended up back on the streets.

Tazne went missing from her Ravensmead home almost two weeks ago. Her body was found by police in a storm water pipe outside Worcester on Wednesday night, following the arrest of Pangaker earlier in the week. Pangaker allegedly led authorities to the location of the corpse.

He was arrested in Cradock, Eastern Cape, following an extensive investigation.

According to a court document, which has been confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority, here is a list of Pangaker’s list of crimes and convictions which dates back to the 80s:

1981 - Elsies River - theft: sentenced

1981 - Elsies River - housebreaking; sentenced

1988 - Ravensmead - assault, sentenced

1991 - Kimberley - theft, sentenced

1998 - Laingsburg - housebreaking, guilty and sentenced

2001 - Kuilsriver - murder, guilty and sentenced

2001 - Ladismith - culpable homicide, abduction, child neglect: sentenced

2003 - Ladismith - assault: sentenced

2003 - Elsies River - breaking correctional supervision: guilty

2015 - Ladismith - possession of stolen vehicle, guilty and sentenced

2015 - Ladismith - driving vehicle without authority: guilty.

In 2008 Pangaker was sentenced at Bellville Regional Court for kidnapping, child abuse and culpable homicide.

He was sentenced to 10 years for count 3 with count 12 concurrent with count 3. He was released on parole but absconded at Bellville Community Corrections in 2015.

Pangaker was placed out on parole supervision at Ladismith Community Corrections on 16 October 2016 - till 18 May 2019. He then also absconded supervision and a case was opened at Ladismith for absconding.

Meanwhile, police have been deployed to Parow after two houses were set alight and a vehicle overturned following Pangaker's appearance in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning.