Jurgen Vandekeere (35) was expected to appear in court on September 9, for the start of his trial, with the end of his trial set for September 20.
He is accused of raping and murdering Barnard in Brentwood Park on April 1, 2011, after she went missing earlier that day.
Barnard was found stabbed in the throat with her body found in the accused’s house, after he allegedly washed her lifeless body.
“I am very angry and disappointed,” said Chantelle’s mother, Suzette Barnard, on Monday morning after leaving court.
“We told the court he was a flight risk from day one.”
She believes the accused has fled the country as he has ties in Belgium.
Vandekeere’s father, Roland Vandekeere, does not know where his son is.
‘‘No, I wish I knew, I am worried like everyone else,’’ said Roland.
The investigating officer in the case, WO Peter Mbonani, said Vandekeere was last seen at his home in Brentwood Park, on Saturday, September 7.
He was reportedly seen at Chantelle’s gravesite at the Alberton Graveyard on the same day.
A tweet from the Benoni CPF chairperson Reza Patel, on September 9, alleged that the accused was in Alberton on Monday, and was being assisted by a friend driving a white Golf.
Benoni SAPS media liaison officer Lieut Nomsa Sekele said Vandekeere did report to the Benoni Police Station on Friday, last week.
Part of his bail conditions was to report to the Benoni SAPS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Vandekeere was denied bail in the Benoni Magistrates Court on December 7, 2011.
He was then released on bail of R20 000 on January 4, 2012, in the Gauteng High Court.
He has not yet been asked to plead.
The case is being investigated and no reward has been offered for the man’s arrest.
Anyone with information regarding Vandekeere’s whereabouts can contact WO Mbonani on 082 301 2276.
These were the latest updates at the time of going to print on Tuesday evening.
Police found this letter on Sunday, September 8, which was written by Vandekeere’s. Police made it available to the City Times. Here is the unedited letter:
“To my dearest niece Angela.
I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.
I love you very much and very proud of you.
You my niece and you mean the world to me keep your head high and stay devoted to your family.
Please look after ouma and oupa don’t let anything happen to any of them please hope you can forgive me for leaving as I ask the same for them cause I’m not gonna go to prison for 25 years to life for a crime I didn’t do.
“Please tell your father my brother I love him very much and look after himself and he means a lot to me and that he come to South Africa.”
