Hero boy's death: Accused sent for observation
The man accused of killing six-year-old Kutlwano Garesape, who was defending his mother from being raped, will undergo mental observation.
|||Kimberley - The man accused of killing six-year-old Kutlwano Garesape, who was defending his mother from being raped, will undergo mental observation.
The accused, Tefelo Dikole, appeared in the Jan Kempdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of murder and attempted murder. His legal representative told the court that consultations with the accused and a translator were unsuccessful as he could not answer simple questions posed to him.
His lawyer indicated to the court that the accused should be referred for mental observation and requested that the case only continue after the report on his mental state is available.
The magistrate, Hendrick Strauss, postponed the matter to next month.
Community members packed the gallery and shouted at the accused to turn around and look at them as he stood and faced the magistrate.
The accused was escorted back to the holding cells by Correctional Services officials.
The mother of the deceased, Segomotso Garesape, broke down and cried after court proceedings, while the young boy’s father, Frank Jacobs, indicated that the family was going through a very hard time. “Losing a child is a very painful experience and we are struggling to get over the incident, but we have to carry on.
“We all miss Kutlwano tremendously and one can see that the incident has deeply affected his older brother, Thabiso.
“He just wants to be around me or his mother and gets agitated when he does not see either of us. I can also pick up that he does not want to go back to school as it brings back memories.
“Kutlwano and Thabiso were very close and did everything together. I have told the family that we do not know why this tragedy has hit us, but that we have to accept what has happened although it is hard,” he said.
Jacobs said they were receiving support and assistance in their ordeal.
“We have been receiving counselling and community members have also reached out to us and assisted us during this time.
“We are grateful for everyone who has taken time to come and share in our grief,” Jacobs said.
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