As with the man’s previous court appearances, there was a heavy police presence and Kitzinger Road was cordoned off.
There was, however, no large protesting crowd and only a few people, mostly woman and children, had gathered to picket behind the police cordon.
Members of the EMPD’s Equestrian Unit patrolled the street on horseback and a sniffer dog swept the courtroom before proceedings began.
Jasmin’s father, Morné Pretorius, was present in court, and sat in the front row, along with family members and friends.
The majority of benches were unfilled and the courtroom was mostly occupied by journalists and police members.
Dressed in a dark, checked, hooded sweatshirt and jeans, the accused — who may not be named until he has been asked to plead — appeared before magistrate Betina Maredi in Court A.
He kept his head bowed throughout proceedings, during which the Director of Public Prosecutions informed the state that a judge will preside over the matter in a high court.
The case is likely to be heard in the Delmas High Court, but there was no date available.
The case was then postponed to Tuesday, May 6, and the accused remains in custody.
Jasmin’s mother, Sasha Lee Bam, who gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, March 5, didn’t attend proceedings, but was seen in the building.
She was accompanied by her father, Pastor Colin Bam, and other family members.
A small group of bikers were spotted in the waiting area outside the courtroom.
Background
Jasmin’s body was found under a bed in her father’s home, in Suenet Flats, along Voortrekker Road, on Saturday, December 28, last year.
She had been reported missing earlier that day.
Jasmin, who lived with Sasha Lee in Kempton Park, was picked up by Morné the previous day, to spend the weekend with him.
A funeral service for Jasmin was held in Brakpan on Wednesday, January 8, and she was cremated the following day, during a private service.
The case outraged the Brakpan community, who bayed for the blood of the accused and also pointed fingers at Jasmin’s parents for neglect.
The case also garnered the attention of Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwane, who attended court proceedings on Monday, January 13.
