Cape Town - The house where little Stacha Arendse is believed to have been gruesomely raped and murdered is up for sale.
Barely a month after the 11-year-old child was murdered, the owners of the house, who are the parents of suspect Randy Tango, 31, placed the house at 12 Matroosberg Singel, Tafelsig on the market for R320 000.
The Daily Voice was alerted by members of Stacha’s family who said they were angry it was on sale before the case was completed.
But on Thursday, Astrid Smith-De Gruchy of RealNet Properties, told the Daily Voice they would not be going ahead with the sale, and would be meeting with the Tango family who they say were not transparent about the transaction.
“We were not aware of the history around the house, the request for a valuation was like any other request we get daily,” said Astrid.
“The owners had no definite answer as to why they were selling."
Pictures: Bertam Malgas/Daily Voice
“Despite us all following the Stacha story, not myself or any of my staff members registered when hearing the address."
“We only put the puzzle together after we listed and started advertising."
“The owner didn’t mention it for obvious reasons."
“We will not be selling the property. However I wanted to go to speak to the home owners personally to inform them.”
On Thursday, Stacha’s mother Sandy Markgraf said: “I feel the house should not be sold until he gets his sentence."
“Once the case is closed then they can sell it."
“I heard the house was up for sale but I did not see a board outside.”
Angry residents say they want the house to be demolished after the case has been finalised because they do not want the family of Tango to reap any benefits after an innocent child was killed there.
“We are upset as a community, especially the people in the road, we want them out,” says one neighbour.
“The murder happened inside that house, forensics were inside that house and found the evidence there."
“We don’t even know where inside the house it took place, upstairs where he sleeps or at the bottom or in the yard."
“We want that house to be destroyed. They can’t get R320 000 for that house, that is blood money, her blood was inside that house."
The body of 11-year-old Stacha Arends was found in a field in Swartklip Road, Mitchells Plain. Picture: Supplied
“Stacha was in and out of my home, she was such a sweet child.”
On Thursday, Vivienne Tango, the suspect’s mother, would not comment on the sale.
Earlier this month, top police sources confirmed Tango had confessed to raping and killing Stacha.
Tango, who is facing murder, rape and kidnapping charges, is expected to appear at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on 3 May for his formal bail application.
Stacha disappeared on 27 March while watching movies at a friend’s home in Matroosberg Street, Tafelsig.
The next day, the girl’s naked and battered body was found dumped on a soccer field in Swartklip Road, Tafelsig.