SA man on murder rap: PM done
2004-11-05 22:28
Pretoria - A post-mortem was done on Friday on the body of a Burundian teenager alleged to have been murdered by a South African soldier taking part in a United Nations peacekeeping mission there, said the defence ministry.
The examination was performed by a South African pathologist in Bujumbura "as part of the ongoing investigation", said ministry spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi.
Sergeant Philippus Jacobus Venter, 32, was arrested last month and charged with the murder of Therese Nkeshimana, reported to have been a 15-year-old prostitute.
He is alleged to have killed her on the night of September 19.
Venter was worling as a VIP protector at the time.
The two apparently were seen getting into a taxi in Bujumbura.
The taxi drove into a ditch and the two continued their journey on foot. This was the last time Nkeshimana was seen alive.
Her body was found the next day. She had been raped and strangled.
Investigations were said to have been hampered by her "premature" burial, prompting the defence force to seek her exhumation.
Venter is being detained at Bujumbura military base, and appears in a military court every seven days.
South Africa has criminal jurisdiction on its members deployed in Burundi. Mkhwanazi said it was not yet known where Venter would be tried.
"The investigation was continuing with the full co-operation of the Burundi authorities," said the ministry.
"This case is the first of its kind and the departments of defence and foreign affairs are continuing to monitor it closely to ensure it is dealt with according to international norms and standards."
- SAPA