Cape Town - Relatives, friends and Gatesville residents were emotional on Thursday as they saw, for the first time, the suspects accused of abducting 8-year-old Abirah Dekhta.
The seven men, some in their late and 30s and 40s, appeared at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Thursday, facing charges of kidnapping and extortion.
They all seemed calm, with some winking and smiling at their loved ones while they exited the dock.
The matter was postponed to December 7 for a formal bail application.
“No bail! No bail!” protesters chanted outside the court.
Close family friend, Imdaad Harris, said they were angry that the accused showed no remorse and smiled.
“To see how they walked in, the body language and faces made us very emotional. They just don’t care. The least they could’ve done is to pretend they do. We will mobilise more people, and they must not get bail,” said Harris.
Neighbourhood watch chairperson Fawzia Veerasamy was in tears and questioned how the accused were “inconsiderate.”
“I’m sure they know some relatives might be in court. They walked in as if they didn't know why they were in court. If this is so hard on me because I have been at the forefront since day one, how much more the family? It’s not fair that the victims go through so much. The child was ripped from her comfort zone and was in an environment of fear. The accused will get cell phone access and free meals,” said Veerasamy.
The Rylands Primary School pupil was abducted on the morning of November 4 in her lift club vehicle that was waiting for another pupil.
The father is a cellphone businessman, and the family is originally from India.
Cape Times