Katlego Phoku, otherwise known as ”Chicken” in the Ramaphosa community, made his second court appearance on Friday, August 22, and his trial is due to resume on September 2.
He was again remanded in custody.
Cuburne’s partially burnt body was found at a mine dump, in Reiger Park, three days after he was reported missing.
Exactly a week after the child was kidnapped, EMPD officers arrested Phoku on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering the little boy from Ramaphosa. He was cornered in Lambton.
He allegedly abducted and killed the child while out on parole.
The Parole Board will hold a hearing on August 29, to decide whether to withdraw his parole and to deem the accused not to have been sufficiently rehabilitated.
A witness has already positively identified Phoku as the man who was last seen walking with Cuburne.
Angry residents and Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele said Cuburne’s killer deserves the harshest punishment.
The child was laid to rest on Saturday, August 16, following a funeral service at the Reiger Park Old Apostolic Church.
A few months ago, a 10-year-old boy was also abducted in the same area, and his body was found days later hidden in the bushes along Elsburg Road.
He was allegedly raped, killed and also partially burnt.
Police have yet to make arrests in connection with the 10-year-old’s murder.
– @FanieBoksburg
