The Kenhardt Magistrate's Court in Northern Cape, South Africa, has arraigned a 31-year-old man, on charges of kidnapping and murder.
Wouter Pieters is accused of
kidnapping and murdering his two-month-old son whose body was found stuffed in
a backpack abandoned in the veld in the area on March 10, 2024.
The suspect had been on the run
until his arrest on Sunday, March 24.
According to police, Pieters
and the child’s mother had a domestic dispute on March 9. He left the home
after the altercation and snatched the baby, placing him in a backpack as he
was leaving the premises.
The mother immediately reported
the incident to police and Pieters had been on the run ever since.
However, he was spotted at the
golf course in Kenhardt by members of the community where he was apprehended
and handed over to the police.
Northern Cape police
spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam told local publication, Diamond Fields
Advertiser that members of the public had apprehended Pieters who was set to
appear in the local magistrate’s court.
Pieters made a brief court
appearance on Tuesday, and was formally charged with the murder and kidnapping
of the two-month-old boy.
It is still unclear what the
cause of death of the baby was at this stage
The matter has been postponed
until April 3, for a formal bail application.
Pieters has been remanded in
custody until his next appearance.
Police said their probe into
the incident is still under investigation.
Northern Cape police
commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola lauded the community for their
vigilance and cooperation in searching for the suspect.
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