Publications
These were the words of Christo van der Merwe, the father of the murdered Poppie van der Merwe (3), Friday outside the magistrate’s court in Brits in North West where the bail application of Poppie’s alleged murderer, her stepdad, Kobus Koekemoer (43), was to be held.
Koekemoer was dressed in a formal black suit for his court appearance.
The bail application was postponed until 28 November. Koekemoer will remain in custody until then.
Christo spoke to the media, saying the judicial system had failed his child. He was dressed in a pink shirt as a token of his commitment to justice for Poppie. He says in the past authorities had only ever paid any heed to Louisa’s (Poppie’s mother) version of events.
He believes the whole truth about his daughter’s murder will eventually emerge.
“I want to thank everyone, especially the support group Justice for Poppie. I’m here for Poppie’s sake. She’s a heroine. She saved her little brother,” he emphasised.
Kobus allegedly attacked Poppie so viciously on Tuesday 25 October on a smallholding near Mamogaleskraal, Brits, that she died that night in hospital of her injuries. Doctors notified the police and he was arrested at the hospital.
Before she died, the toddler had been living on the smallholding with her mom, stepdad and older half-brother.
Read more:
‘Where she is now there is no fear’: Poppie laid to rest in heartrending ceremony
‘You’re going to die!’ man screams at Poppie’s stepdad in court
