The parents of 4-year-old ‘Baby Nikita’ told the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday that they were abandoning their application for bail as they face charges of child abuse and murder.

Baby Nikita was admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital more than two weeks ago, after her screams of being beaten sent shockwaves across the Eldorado Park community, resulting in the arrest of her parents.  

The child later died from her injuries.

According to police, the man was arrested after officers responded to reports of screams coming from a backyard shack. Inside the home, police discovered the young girl with severe head injuries, bruises and a swollen eye.

The matter has been postponed to October 9 for further investigation.

The child’s uncle said his brother, one of the suspects, was not raised to take drugs or abuse children and the family is devastated.

Due to the sensitivity of the matter, the family has asked to be given space to bury their little one before addressing the impact this has had on them.

The brother of the accused, who cannot be named to protect the child, speaking outside court said the family is still shaken by what has happened.

” As a family, we are still recovering from the death of my wife, who died recently. Now we are dealing with the death of my niece. That is why I came to court, because as a family, we are still trying to understand what happened,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by their father, who also spoke briefly, saying in spite of the tragedy, they want justice to prevail.

“We, like everyone else, want justice to prevail as we believe what happened to our grandchild should not have happened,” the grandfather said outside the court.

The child’s father is facing five charges, including rape, compelled rape, assault with GBH, murder, child abuse, and defeating the ends of justice, while the mother is facing charges related to murder and failing to report the abuse of a minor.

Baby Nikita’s funeral is expected to draw a large crowd at the Don Mateman Hall on Tuesday. 

On Monday, scores of Eldorado Park residents came out in their numbers once again as they awaited the court outcome following a memorial service held at Don Mateman Hall on Sunday.

Reflecting on the young child’s impact in the community, the councillor for Ward 18, Juwairiya Kaldine, thanked the family for allowing her and the community to unite behind their child, whose life was cut short.

“I said I was not going to cry, but we are gathered here with heavy hearts and to bid farewell to a beautiful angel whose life was taken and future stripped from her. It is tragic and unfortunate to have lost Baby Nikita under such tragic circumstances. She had to lose her life for the lives of other young children to be saved. I can imagine how the family is feeling and send condolences to the family and thank the family for giving me this opportunity to celebrate her,” she said at the memorial service.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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