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Ricardo Grysman (26) was found guilty and sentenced for the murder and rape of Chantelle Makwena (5) at their home in Withoogte, Rocklands, during August 2019; as well as rape of a 49-year-old woman committed in 2018.
“Crimes against children and women are cowardice and sentences such as this meted out by our criminal justice system brings hope to other victims of domestic violence and rape,” said Lt Gen. Nomthetheleli Mene, the SAPS Provincial Commissioner. He has welcomed the sentence handed down to child rapist and killer Grysman in the Gqeberha High court on Friday and commended the investigating officer from SAPS Kabega Park, D/Sgt Chantell Joubert, and the prosecuting authority for ensuring that the accused does not see another day outside prison walls.
“Sexual violence against women and children is totally intolerable. This vulnerable group is being murdered by those they love, know and trust. This child’s life and future had ended in such a brutal way and justice has been served on the unremorseful accused,” said Lt Gen. Mene.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, on 2 August 2019 at about 19:00, Veronica Makwena (23) and her sister (34) left their children at their home in Withoogte, Rocklands, with the accused, his girlfriend and the girlfriend’s brother and went to visit a friend in the same vicinity. When the two women returned at 22:00, the same night, they found the front door opened and neither of the adults was there. Chantelle Makwena was not in her bed.
“On Saturday, 3 August 2019, an intensive search began for the missing child. At about 14:55, the father, Justin Manele (29) found the badly battered and bruised body of Chantelle in a toilet near the house in Withoogte. She was half naked and sustained serious head and facial injuries,” said Colonel Naidu.
During July 2021, after receiving the positive DNA linking the accused to the murder and rape, he was arrested at Blozo location in Rocklands.
