Griekwastad trial to begin
The trial of a teenager accused of killing a family on their Griekwastad farm is set to begin in the Kimberley High Court on Monday.
The 16-year-old boy was arrested for the murders of Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14. They were shot on their family farm Naauwhoek on April 6, 2012.
According to Sunday's Rapport newspaper the boy will also face a charge of raping Marthella. In addition he will face a charge of defeating the ends of justice for allegedly misleading police by making a false statement.
It was first reported that on the day of the murders the boy was in an outside storeroom when he heard shots. He is said to have explained at the time that he discovered the bodies in the living room of the main house before driving to the police station in town to report the crimes. Police said he handed over two firearms which he had found at the scene.
Suspicion later turned to the boy and he was arrested.
The final charge sheet is expected to be handed in on Monday.
The case was last before court in November last year, when the National Prosecuting Authority's appeal against the teenager's having been granted bail was dismissed.
The boy had been living with a guardian since he was released on R5000 bail in September.
According to Rapport the trial would open with an application by media groups to allow them to report on the matter.
Usually trials involving minors as the accused are held in camera.