The family and friends of Chantelle Barnard (20) could not hold back their tears when acting Judge Portia Phahlane found Jurgen Vandekeere guilty of murder, rape, and defeating the ends of justice on September 10 in a sitting of the Pretoria High Court at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.
Vandekeere (42) had pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of Barnard and to defeating the ends of justice. He will be sentenced on September 14.
His trial began on August 31 and ran until September 3.
Eleven witnesses testified; however, Vandekeere declined to take the stand.
Vandekeere handed himself over to the Benoni SAPS on January 15 after being on the run from police since September 9, 2013, when he failed to appear in the Delmas High Court for the start of his trial.
Chantelle, who was murdered 10 days before her 21st birthday, was found in Vandekeere’s house in Brentwood Park on April 1, 2011, after she went missing earlier that day.
She had been raped and stabbed in the throat and the accused had allegedly also washed her body. At the time of her death, Barnard was renting a property that belonged to Vandekeere and his father.
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Chantelle’s mother, Suzette Barnard, told the court she found her daughter’s body in Vandekeere’s house. “Chantelle was lying naked on the floor and I could only see the right side of her face.
There was not a drop of blood on her body, her hair was wet and her face was swollen on one side,” an emotional Barnard testified.
Murder accused Jurgen Vandeekeere in court on September 10, where he was found guilty of rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
“A container of make-up and a bottle of shaving foam were next to her body.”
Chantelle had gone there to give her keys back to the landlord, as she had relocated to another property.
The last time anyone heard from her was at around noon that day.
Her family and friends started searching for her when they discovered her cellphone was off, as it was very unusual for her not to answer her phone or for her to have it switched off.
Phahlane said she found Vandekeere guilty due to some of the following statements:
According to testimony in court:
• Vandekeere had asked his domestic worker to leave on the day of the incident, saying he had a meeting to attend. However, according to the domestic worker, this was unusual because he had always left her in the house whenever he had to errands to run.
“He had thought of his plans and he didn’t want any interruption, hence he told the domestic worker to leave,” said Phahlane.
• Vandekeere had no injuries on the morning of the incident.
• Chantelle’s underwear and handbag were found in the house.
• A bread knife that had Chantelle and Vandekeere’s blood on it was found; there was also blood found in the house. • A television was on in the house, paused on the image of a naked woman.
• Chantelle’s body was found with her legs open, which shows there was an intention of sexual violation.
• He told Chantelle’s mother that Chantelle “enjoyed it” and didn’t even plead for her life.
• He washed the body to destroy evidence.
• It took “an army” of people to get him (Vandekeere) to open the door.
• He lied to Chantelle’s mother and boyfriend when he said she had left in a white Toyota.
• He got angry when he was asked where Chantelle was.
“All witnesses were honest and clear in answering questions without exaggerating their evidence,” Phahlane concluded.
She added she was satisfied with the evidence brought forward by both counsels.
Chantelle’s mother, who was emotional, said she was relieved that finally justice will be served after so many years.
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