The kidnapping and murder case against Andrew Jordaan, accused of murdering seven-year-old Sheldean Human, was again postponed in the Pretoria Regional Court on Friday.
Jordaan, wearing black jeans and a purple jacket, was surrounded by heavily armed police officers while standing in the dock.
His feet were shackled.
The case had been postponed to Friday to allow Jordaan to apply for legal aid.
He will now be represented by advocate Kgomotso Tlouane from the Legal Aid Board.
The case was postponed to April 25 for further investigation.
Jordaan will be held at the Pretoria Central prison.
There were murmurs of disappointment from people sitting in the court room when the case was postponed for the third time this month.
Sheldean’s mother, Elize Human, wearing a bright pink T-shirt with Sheldean’s picture on it, refused to comment after the hearing.
Outside the court building, about 100 protesters wearing pink T-shirts gathered to protest against Jordaan getting bail.
”People who are suspected of brutal murders, such as that of Sheldean, should not get bail and be released back into the community,” CEO of AfriForum Kallie Kriel said.
The protesters, who were chanting ”Maak hom dood” (Kill him), held placards that asked for President Thabo Mbeki to protect children.
Some placards read: ”Hoeveel kinders nog?” (How many more children?) and ”Bring back the death penalty”.
The protesters dispersed peacefully soon after the brief appearance.
Sheldean’s body was found in a culvert in Pretoria West on March 6 after she had been missing for two weeks from her Pretoria Gardens home.
Jordaan pointed out the culvert to police.
She was buried on Tuesday. — Sapa