It has been revealed that crucial evidence obtained from the murder scene of Vredenburg siblings Faith and Conray Adams is missing from the police docket.
Also read: Gunman on the run following double murder in Heideveld
Warning: The following article contains disturbing information.
On 1 May 2019, three-year-old Faith and 18-month-old Conray were brutally murdered in their home after their mother, Frizaan, allegedly got into an argument with 54-year-old Derick Kalmeyer and another person and fled, leaving the siblings behind.
Kalmeyer, a 28s gang member, is accused of stabbing Faith 19 times, while Conray was stabbed 14 times and suffered skull fractures from allegedly being flung through a glass window.
On Friday, Judge Pam Andrews recalled the investigating officer in the Western Cape High Court before Kalmeyer could face judgement.
As per the Weekend Argus, Sergeant M. Mbovane revealed that the prosecutor did not receive the DNA test results of a suspected murder weapon and a blood-stained hoodie.
Mbovane further admitted that a knife with possible touch DNA and the bedding on which the siblings were stabbed were taken to forensic labs.
The reports of these tests were allegedly handed over to state Advocate Bulelo Koti.
Koti asked, ‘Can it be affirmed that, since the murders on 1 May 2019, Mbovane has overseen the case and held the docket? Can it be affirmed that, despite prior requests from prosecutors, the report was never included in the docket?’
In response, Mbovane revealed that he waited for the report to be forwarded to him and mentioned that he did not understand the report and as a result, he could not provide comments on its contents.
To this, defence advocate Bash Sibda objected, stating that there was a ‘clear lack of communication between the state and the investigating officer’.
Sibda attributed this issue to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicolette Bell, noting that the case proceeded to trial despite a crucial pending report.
‘This matter was signed off by Nicolette Bell as trial ready.’
It was also revealed that fingerprints lifted from the home were tested but the investigating officer was not informed of the outcome.
The case was postponed to 28 February for judgement.
Also read:
Crime statistics show alarming increase in Western Cape murders
Picture: Tingey Injury Law Firm / Unsplash