Just over a year after the rape and murder of eight-year-old Tazné van Wye, the man who is accused of doing so will stand trial.
After a number of postponements and delays, Moehydien Pangaker (54) will begin his trial at the Western Cape High Court on March 31.
Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Albert fritz has welcomed the news, and has applauded police for their investigative work into tracking Pangaker down.
“It is welcomed news that Tazné’s alleged murderer will now go to trial. I hope that this brings some peace of mind to the Van Wyk family, who have suffered an immeasurable loss. No parent should have to endure the loss of their child,” he said via a statement.
The accused was arrested in Cradock, located in the Eastern Cape, on February 17, 2020. Two days later, van Wyk’s body was found along the N1 outside Worcester, in the direction of De Doorns.
Police investigations led them to Pangaker as he was the last person little van Wyk was seen with when she went missing near her home in Connaught Estate in Ravensmead. She went missing on February 7, 2020.
Pangaker is a previous offender who has spent time in prison for the murder of his son in 2001.
Picture: Twitter