- A Cape Town basketball coach has pleaded not guilty to murdering and raping a 12-year-old boy in Hout Bay.
- Sibusiso Dakuse went missing on February 26 and was found dead in the bushes two days later.
- The first witness will be called on Tuesday.
A Cape Town basketball coach pleaded not guilty to the abduction, rape and murder of 12-year-old Sibusis Dakuse when his trial began in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.
Marvin Minaar also invoked his right to remain silent.
His trial began on Monday for him to enter a guilty plea, with the first witness to be called on Tuesday.
Looking thin, with a shaved head and a worn-out windbreaker, Minar whispered softly as he admitted that he understood what was happening.
Sibusiso went missing in Hout Bay on the afternoon of February 26, 2020.
His grandmother last saw him around 3pm at their home in Imazama Yetu, located on a hill in the fishing and tourist town.
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He was reported missing on February 27, and police found his body in the bushes a day later.
It is clear that the young man had a promising future as a singer and actor. He was a student at the Kronendal Music Academy, an after-school program for aspiring young musicians and singers.
Minaar was a basketball coach at a popular club in Hout Bay.
He faces life in prison for rape and murder if convicted.
According to the indictment, Sibusis was dragged into bushes near Manchester Road, Hout Bay, then raped and strangled to death.
His family let out a guttural groan as court was adjourned as they walked wearily to the door wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his face.
The only thing Minaar said was that he agreed with the basics of the case, such as Sibusis’ identity, the chain of custody of evidence and the date his post-mortem was performed.
