Protesters at court for Anika

2010-05-19 09:38



Hilda Fourie, Beeld


Pretoria - Scores of people dressed in red were expected to arrive in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court where a suspect was to appear in connection with Anika Smit's killing.

A 21-year-old man, apparently the former boyfriend of Anika, 17, will face a charge of murder after he was arrested on Sunday at his flat at the Carousel casino north of Pretoria.

Anika was murdered over two months ago in the home of her parents in Theresapark in northern Pretoria. Her hands had been hacked off as well.

"The community requests that he (the accused) not be granted bail and that is why we have organised this action," said councillor Dana Wannenburg of the Tshwane Metro Council.

Emphasis on crime

This action would coincide with Solidarity's national day of protest against crime.

According to Wannenburg, Venter's court appearance was exactly what this day was about - to place the emphasis on crime, which was a concern to South Africans.

"We want people to be aware of how bad crime is so that what happened to Anika will not happen to anyone close to you," said Wannenburg.

According to Wannenburg people would gather at the parking area across from the court.

Memos for cops

A representative of the Pretoria North police station would receive a memorandum from the community.

A similar memorandum would also be handed over to several police stations in 312 towns in South Africa.

Dirk Hermann, deputy head of Solidarity, said on Monday that South Africans would in this memorandum officially protest against the "bloody crime situation in this country and demand action from police and government".

The biggest action of the day would take place at the Harlequins club in Totius Street in Groenkloof, Pretoria.

Several singers would perform from 10:00. People would also be able to lay wreaths for victims of crime after the event, after which people would be divided into protest teams and leave for the 27 police stations in Pretoria to hand over memorandums.

Hier raak dinge nou intersant wie is die ander waarna hulle soek en hoekom het die staat nie die borg teengestaan nie, wat is die agenda


2010-05-20 08:04
Mia Willemse and Hilda Fourie, Beeld

Pretoria - Another suspect has been identified in connection with the murder of Anika Smit, 17, whose hands were hacked off after she was murdered.

Lungelo Dlamini, provincial police spokesperson, confirmed on Wednesday night that the police are looking for a second suspect.

This came after Nico Venter, 20, was released on R10 000 bail on Wednesday in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. The State did not oppose bail.

Venter was arrested on Monday morning in connection with the murder.

A threat of an attack on Venter, Anika's ex-boyfriend, seemed to be the reason on Wednesday why everyone in the public gallery of this particular court was searched.

"I'll slit his throat," said an elderly man shortly before Venter's appearance.

After everyone in the public gallery was sent out, searched and allowed back in again, Venter appeared on a charge of murder.

Family and friends in court

According to a statement by Annerie Robinson, the investigating officer, "people made it known that they would be harming the accused".

The elderly man's statement clearly summarised the feelings of various community members who were standing outside the courtroom.

Venter looked calm where he was sitting in the accused bench, dressed in a black suit, a black shirt and black tie. His family, the public, some community members dressed in red, and the media filled the courtroom completely.

At least 10 police officials monitored the proceedings.

Venter's parents, Nico and Ina Venter, sat behind him, together with Narina Theunissen, a friend of Venter.

According to Venter's affidavit in his bail application, which was read aloud by his legal representative, Johann Gaum, he's a project manager at the Carousel casino where he was arrested.

"Although I am accused of a violent crime, I wouldn't hurt anybody," says Venter in the statement.

"I've never intimidated anyone and I don't hold a grudge against anyone."

Dad doesn't want to see accused

Outside the court, Johan Smit, Anika's father, said he still misses his child very much, and that he doesn't want to see Venter.

"I know the man and I know what he looks like. Whether I see him or not will make absolutely no difference to me. Actually, I didn't want to be here at all," said Smit.

Smit said it's obvious that people are sick and tired of crime.

"It's been said over and over again, but people should carry on saying how dissatisfied and unhappy they are about the crime situation in our country until something is done," he said.

Dana Wannenburg a DA councillor in the Tshwane metro council, said outside the court that somebody else was involved with the murder.

"I know there are children at the school (Gerrit Maritz High School, where Anika was in grade 11) who know what happened to her. Now is the time to speak up."

What makes Anika's murder so heinous, said Wannenburg, is that she was murdered in her parental home in Theresapark, in the north of Pretoria, where she was supposed to be safe.

"There were more suspects involved in Anika's murder."

Venter's next court appearance is set for September.