More charges against mother of girl (2) murdered in Klopperpark

The formal bail application of Rochelle Botha was postponed following her second appearance in Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

Botha made her appearance in D court on September 8 after she was arrested on August 22 in connection with the murder of her two-year-old daughter Chevonne Rusch.

In May, the NEWS reported that a case of murder was opened after the deceased child was taken to Wannenburg Clinic in Primrose.

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Assistant Editor of Bedfordview, SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Lillian Modiga Primrose and police officers were called to the clinic shortly after 13:00 on May 11.

“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,” she said.

Modiga said due to the injuries, a murder docket was opened. Botha first appeared at the Germiston court on September 1, as the second accused in the case.

The first person arrested, on May 13 following the death of Rusch, was Cornelius Stefan van Niekerk. He abandoned his bail application on May 25.

During Botha’s second appearance two applications, one of them being from Bedfordview and Edenvale News, for the photographing of court proceedings for the purpose of televising or broadcasting were submitted.

Once submitted Botha’s legal representative discussed the matter with her and the prosecutor. No objections were presented and the magistrate approved both applications.

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The state initially charged Botha with the murder of a minor child but at her second appearance, it informed the court that more charges had since been added.

These charges added included three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and rape of a minor over a period, numerous times.

The prosecution emphasised that the investigation was ongoing and more charges were expected to be added. It stated that the matter was a scheduled six formal bail application. The defence did not object.

During Botha’s second appearance, it was decided to postpone the case as the court believed the matter would not conclude if it proceeded with the bail application on the day.

Botha’s bail application was postponed to September 13, the same date as Van Niekerk’s next court appearance. She remains in custody.