“I’m relieved that Jurgen Vandekeere is finally behind bars and I hope justice will be served this time.”
These were the words of Chantelle Barnard’s emotional mother, Suzette Barnard.
“I am overwhelmed and I can’t believe this is happening.”
This comes after murder and rape accused Vandekeere, who had been on the run for six years, appeared in the Pretoria High Court on January 16 for the murder and rape of Chantelle.
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Murder accused Vandekeere hands himself over to police
He was remanded in custody and sent to Kgosi Mampuru Prison.
The 41-year-old will reappear on March 27, when a trial date will be set.
Vandekeere handed himself over to the Benoni SAPS on January 15 at around 6pm.
Chantelle’s brother Jacques and his mom, Suzette, lost their sister and daughter nine years ago when she was murdered in Benoni.
The 20-year-old was found raped and murdered in Brentwood Park on April 1, 2011, after she went missing earlier that day.
She was stabbed in the throat and her body was found in the accused’s house. He had allegedly washed her lifeless body.
At the time of her death, Chantelle was renting a property that belonged to Vandekeere and his father.
Suzette said she fears what will happen this time. What lies is he going to tell, she wonders.
“The past nine years have been difficult for them,” she added.
“Chantelle’s death was traumatic for Jacques. He doesn’t even want anything to do with the court case.
“He and Chantelle were like twins, they did everything together.”
Suzette said Jacques remarked that he doesn’t want them to go through what they went through before.
“We pray and hope that everything will go well regarding the case.”
Vandekeere was denied bail in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on December 7, 2011.
He was then released on bail of R20 000 on January 4, 2012, in the Gauteng High Court.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said Vandekeere wasn’t asked how he wanted to plead before he fled.
Sekele explained that in 2013, when Vandekeere appeared in the Delmas High Court, it was due to the police demarcation. However, that has changed and cases that need to be held in a high court are sent to the Pretoria High Court.
She also confirmed that Vandekeere was arrested after handing himself over, but it is not clear when Vandekeere arrived back in South Africa and where exactly the murder accused came from.
Vandekeere is appearing in court for murder and rape.
Police declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his handing himself over.
