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Western Cape activists shared their outrage after a man was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and murdering his son’s eight-year-old friend during a sleepover, saying that the state had failed both children while adding that parents should be more vigilant and for sexual offenders’ registers to be made public.
Also read: Suspect in murder case of 8-year-old at sleepover is a convicted rapist
IOL reports that 47-year-old, Arthur Wheeler, made his second appearance at the Blue Down’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a murder charge
The State indicated that it would be opposing his bail application.
Earlier, Wheeler heard he would be facing additional charges of rape, sexual assault and assault to cause grievous bodily harm.
The State also revealed that the killer left teeth marks and abrasions to the boy’s penis and that adult pubic hair was also found in the anus and penis.
It is alleged that on 15 June, Daniel Jamneck was strangled to death as he slept next to Wheeler on a double bed inside his flat in Peerless Park North, Kraaifontein.
The case has been postponed until next week when the bail application will continue.
The Argus reports that Wheeler had been a tenant and lived in the back of the property and was employed.
Daniel was visiting his 13-year-old friend for a sleepover when the incident occurred.
The State revealed that Wheeler had previously been convicted of rape last week during his initial court appearance.
They also made it official that Wheeler’s son was sleeping on a double bunk in the same room while the eight-year-old was sleeping next to him.
They explained that after a post-mortem, it was determined that the victim had been strangled to death because nail marks had been discovered on his neck.
Activist for children and women, Candice van der Rheede, who founded the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit, went to the courthouse yesterday to see Wheeler’s appearance.
She demanded the most severe punishments.
‘We need the sexual offences register to be made public,’ she told IOL.
‘How many children need to die before this Justice system protects us and our kids against the evil people in this world?
‘We are appalled at what happened to this little angel, only eight-years-old old, and was stolen from his family. Bring back the death penalty.
‘Criminals aren’t afraid to commit crimes because they know the justice system is designed to protect them.’
The case, according to child and women’s rights advocate Barbara Rass of the Atlantis Woman’s Movement, is an illustration of how the State fails children.
‘I want to challenge the state departments in this case because there was a previous case against this person of sexual abuse, and the social department failed both of these children. They should have engaged with both mothers. How could the 13-year-old be placed into the custody of the father who had clashes with the law, and how can the mother be one side when the father has a record?
‘Parents must make sure where they have their children overnight. On the fourth occasion, this happened.
‘This must serve as an example for parents; investigate where your child is sleeping at night.
‘When you take on people to rent, their records need to be checked. This cannot go on.’
Wheeler’s landlord, who asked not to be identified, also attended proceedings.
She previously indicated that Wheeler was caring but had a dark side.
Also read:
Suspect arrested in murder case of 8-year-old found lifeless at sleepover
Picture: FatCamera / Getty Images
