/ 26 February 2008

Van Rooyen murder accused granted bail

The man and the youth accused of murdering 17-year-old Cassandra van Rooyen were released on R5 000 bail each in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Karl Schuler, lawyer for both accused, said the case was postponed to May 27 for further investigation.

Van Rooyen was reported missing last Monday, but it was only on Wednesday that her body was found behind a concrete dam on the smallholding premises of Garlic Growers in Tarlton.

The accused are 18-year-old Ken Maree, and a 15-year-old who may not be identified.

Questioned about Van Rooyen’s death on Friday, they were formally charged with murder on Saturday.

Their first court appearance was on Monday. Proceedings were conducted in camera as one of the accused is a minor.

The presiding magistrate, Joachim Nortje, on Monday denied a media request to be present in the courtroom when the case was heard.

Van Rooyen had been a tenant on the Krugersdorp smallholding of Maree’s father, Chris Maree, since the beginning of the year. Her mother, Maria, and her younger brother, Anthony, live in Alberton. — Sapa