Tazne van Wyk protest Parow

Image via: @SAPoliceService Twitter

Tazne van Wyk: Two ‘drug houses’ set alight after case is postponed

A group of frustrated community members have vandalised two houses in Parow where they believe Tazne van Wyk was held captive.

Tazne van Wyk protest Parow

Image via: @SAPoliceService Twitter

Infuriated community members have set two alleged drug houses on fire and overturned a car in Parow on Friday 21 February, following the controversial Tazne van Wyk court case at the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court. According to eNCA, they believe the eight-year-old was held there before her brutal murder. 

Moehydien Pangaker, 54, who is suspected of kidnapping and killing Tazne van Wyk was expected to appear in court on Friday morning. It was later announced that the case had been postponed to 17 April. 

According to Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk, community members went to the houses after the court case and set it alight.

According to Bosbeer.com, Pangaker was thought to be a regular there. This is, however, yet to be confirmed.

Image via: @SAPoliceService Twitter
Image via: @khunee3 Twitter

Unrest following Van Wyk’s death 

The untimely death of Tazne van Wyk seems to be the last straw for bereaved community members, after yet another case of gender-based violence (GBV) has hit the nation.

People across the country are losing mothers, daughters and sisters which seem to be due to gross negligence in the justice and parole system. Many prisoners are released on parole and then just proceed to commit another heinous crime. 

Pangaker himself was out on parole when he allegedly killed the eight-year-old Van Wyk. 

The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) also joined the community in a protest at the court on Friday morning. 

DAWN and the DA in Parliament will now embark on a full review of the entire parole system in South Africa by submitting Parliamentary questions to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola. 

The blue party demand answers on:

  • Conditions on which perpetrators are granted parole;
  • Government’s policy regarding parole release; and
  • How parolees are monitored once released.

Eight-year-old found in stormwater pipe 

Pangaker was arrested in Cradock in the Eastern Cape on Monday 17 February. On his return to the Western Cape on Wednesday 19 February, he led police to a stormwater pipe near Worcester where Van Wyk’s body was cruelly dumped.

Van Wyk’s parents, according to police, have been receiving counselling with social workers to help them through the tragic experience. 

Van Wyk went missing on Friday 7 February. She was last seen by her father in Claire Street, Connaught Estate, in Elsies River, on her way to a nearby tuck shop.