The 49-year-old man from Kraaifontein, accused of the rape and murder of Daniel Jamneck, his son’s eight-year-old friend during a sleepover at his residence in 2023, is set to apply for bail a second time as he awaits trial in the Western Cape High Court.
The man, whose identity may not be made public on order of the National Prosecuting Authority, was arrested on 21 June 2023, a week after Jamneck was found dead in a bed during a sleep-over on 15 June at the accused’s house in Peerless Park North. The accused is linked to a case dating back to 2005, in which a woman was raped.
At that time, the woman aged 22 was convinced by the prosecutor to enter into an agreement where she would withdraw the case, on condition that the perpetrator would undergo a diversion programme to rehabilitate sexual offenders.
During his first bail application in July 2023 the Blue Downs Regional Court heard a post mortem revealed that teeth marks and abrasions were left to intimate parts of the boy’s body and nail marks on his neck, when he was allegedly strangled by the accused. It was placed on record that Jamneck had been sleeping next to the accused in a double bed while his son was sleeping on another bed in the same room.
This application was firmly apposed by the State.
Learning of the news, friends supporting the family expressed their shock, questioning the judicial system.
“We are deeply disappointed and upset to hear that the suspect even has the right to apply for bail again. How is it that so many murderers get bail, while people committing petty crimes are denied bail,” a friend of the family who does not want her name published, asks.
“The courts are taking their time, and to us it feels like the perpetrator has more rights. This has been a long and emotional journey for the family who is only but seeking justice for Daniel.”
An urgent call
The latest development has reignited calls for the sexual offenders list to be made publicly accessible.
Speaking to TygerBurger, Bianca van Aswegen, national coordinator for Missing Children SA and a criminologist, stressed that this step is vital for the protection of children.
“Offenders like this must be listed on the sexual offenders register and that list should be accessible to all—especially to parents,” she said. “The safety of children must come first.”
Van Aswegen also appealed to parents to remain constantly aware of their children’s whereabouts and associations.
“Know who their friends are, who their friends’ parents are, where they go, and the environment they’re in,” she urged.
The matter has been set down for 24 October in the Western Cape High Court, where the renewed bail application is expected to be heard and a potential trial date determined.
