The man accused of raping and killing 18-year-old prostitute Hiltina Alexander knew the area where her body was found, a witness has testified.
|||Cape Town - The man accused of raping and killing 18-year-old prostitute Hiltina Alexander knew the area where her body was found, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.
This was the testimony of investigating officer Captain Michael Volkwyn in the trial of 48-year-old Johannes Christiaan de Jager.
De Jager has pleaded not guilty to the crimes against Alexander, in May 2008, and the murder of 18-year-old Mpumalanga resident Charmaine Mare in January this year.
Volkwyn said a day after De Jager's arrest on June 3, 2008, he took a warning statement from him.
“Because the deceased was found in an area where prostitutes congregate, I wanted to make sure the accused was familiar with the area,” he testified.
He said Alexander's body was found in bushes next to a footpath leading to an informal settlement, between Van Schoorsdrift road and Frankdale.
Her body was completely covered with branches and her camouflage print pants were partially pulled down.
He asked De Jager if he was familiar with the Van Schoorsdrift road turnoff on the N7.
According to the statement, De Jager replied with a “yes” and said he had only driven along there to see his brother, who lived in the area.
Volkwyn's cross examination continues on Tuesday.
Sapa