President Jacob Zuma today (Thursday 18 May) visited the family of the murdered Courtney Pieters (3) in Elsies River.
The body of the three-year-old was found on Saturday 13 May in Epping after she was missing for a week.
The visit comes a day after a 40-year-old man appeared in court on charges of the murder and rape of Courtney.
A large crowd of residents gathered outside the family home in Pluto Street in Salberau to catch a glimpse of the president, but also in support of the family.
Upon his arrival Zuma spent about 30 minutes with the family behind closed doors to express his sympathy and to listen to the plight of the family.
The family later emerged from the house with the president to unveil the plaque that has been placed on the wall outside the house in memory of Courtney.
Among discussion points between the president and family was the response of police when Courtney was reported missing.
“I was told that the behaviour of the police was not good,” Zuma said from the front steps of the Pieters residence.
“When the police was asked to come and help, they actually almost treated the mother as a perpetrator instead of helping her to look for the child. I will be discussing this with the national police minister, Fikile Mbalula, because I think it is important for me to talk about the behaviour of police here,” he said.
The president called for all South Africans to unite saying “enough is enough” and encouraged the community to form groups to protect women and children.
Zuma described Courtney’s murder as shocking and said that it is beyond understanding that a man who stayed with the family could allegedly rape and murder a child.
“I hope the country will realise that the issue of crime is a serious one and that something has gone wrong. I do not know if the laws need to be changed but something needs to be done,” Zuma said.
He assured the family that he will be with them every step of the way promising to send the chairperson of his foundation to support the family in their plight to secure another home.
