Calitzdorp urged to stay calm
2008-02-15 20:04
Johannesburg - The community of Calitzdorp was asked not to take the law into its own hands after a body - believed to be that of a missing eight-year-old Calitzdorp girl - was found on Friday, the Western Cape Minister for Community Safety said.
"The community must remain calm and not take the law into their own hands - that is not the answer," said Minister Leonard Ramatlakane.
The decomposed body was found at the foot of Rooiberg mountain in a dense bush area near St Helena farm and Bergsig Township.
The body was found by the Fire Department in the area.
"I want to commend volunteers who came from nearby Oudtshoorn who joined and assisted the police in searching for Charmaine. This partnership is one that can build stronger communities," Ramatlakane said.
"This is a barbaric deed and one can only call on the courts to ensure that the family of Charmaine will see justice meted out to the perpetrator of this crime," he said.
A 30-year-old man was arrested for Conradie's abduction and murder.
Police said the man appeared in the Calitzdorp Magistrate's court on Friday and his case was postponed to February 25, for him to obtain legal aid.
Forensic tests were still being conducted at the scene.
"Police are still busy conducting tests, the body remains at the scene," said Captain Malcom Pojie.
Asked about an earlier police statement that the body was indeed that of Charmaine, Pojie said: "We are fairly certain that this is her, but we still have to get confirmation from forensic tests."
Conradie went missing last Friday. She left her home with a friend and did not return.
A murder investigation will be conducted by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
- SAPA