Accused gets nine life sentences for the murder and rape of Tazné van Wyk

The Western Cape High Court gave a man nine life sentences for the murder and rape of eight-year-old Tazné Van Wyk three years after she went missing.

ACCUSED IS A DISGRACE TO THE HUMAN RACE

Action Society welcomed the sentencing. “Dangerous people like this criminal should never be allowed to come into contact with any child or woman. He is a disgrace to the human race,” says Kaylynn Palm, Action Centre coordinator at Action Society.

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Tazné went missing on 7 February 2020 from Elsies River in the Western Cape, and her body was found in a stormwater pipe outside Worcester two weeks later. The guilty man (54 at the time) was arrested on 17 February 2020.

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THE MAN WAS ON PAROLE WHEN HE MURDERED AND RAPED Tazné

Before he murdered Tazné, the man was sentenced to 10 years for culpable homicide in 2008 and released on parole in October 2016. While on parole, he raped and impregnated his daughter and the child borne from those acts. He also severely assaulted his children and stepchildren.

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Western Cape High Court Judge Alan Maher said the 57-year-old was clearly beyond any hope of rehabilitation, with “a heart of darkness.” The man was found guilty of 22 charges, and the court sentenced him to nine life sentences. This includes life for the murder and rape of Tazné.

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“Even though we are satisfied with the sentence, it is a pity that it took three years to get to this point. The criminal justice system should move faster to get victims the justice they deserve,” Palm said.

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