Stefan van Niekerk and Rochelle Botha were found guilty of the murder of two-year-old Chevonne Rusch in the Johannesburg High Court on November 17.
“Both were also found guilty of rape, involving another minor child. They were convicted of various other charges as well, including attempted murder, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect,” announced civil rights organisation Action Society.
In May 2022, Bedfordview and Edenvale News/Germiston City News reported that a murder case was opened after Chevonne was taken to Wannenburg Clinic in Primrose.
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Assistant editor of Bedfordview and Edenvale News at the time Charmaine Slater, SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Lillian Modiga Primrose and police officers were called to the clinic shortly after 13:00 on May 11, 2022.
“When officers arrived, nurses showed them a child who was brought in by a man believed to be the child’s stepfather.
“The child was wrapped in a blanket and had blood in her mouth and bruises all over her body. She also had a wound on the back of her head,” said Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Lillian Modiga at the time.
Police opened a murder docket because of the child’s injuries.
A pathologist assigned to the case told the court that Chevonne’s body was covered in 49 bruises.
“This case makes it clear – if you neglect to report abuse or if you fail to protect or aid an abused child, you are just as guilty as the one who committed the act of violence,” said Ian Cameron, director of community safety at Action Society.
ALSO READ: Chevonne Rusch’s murder case postponed to March
“Nothing will bring Chevonne back. We will never know if she ever felt safe in her short life. She was failed by those called to care for and protect her. The only good that has come from this, is that two cruel people are off the streets,” said Cameron.
Since the toddler’s murder, communities in Germiston, Edenvale and Bedfordview have voiced their anger about the murder.
Botha and Van Niekerk abandoned their bail applications in September 2022 as community and family members gathered outside the courts during court proceedings.
The case was transferred to Johannesburg High Court in January this year by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court where the matter was initially on the court roll for indictment.
After the guilty verdicts, the case was postponed to February 2, 2024, for a pre-sentence report.
