Ramaphosa: Something wrong with parole system

“That shows there is something wrong with our parole system,” he said on Tuesday, referring to the 54-year old parolee Mohydien Pangaker.

Ramaphosa addressed hundreds of angry community members in Elsies Rivier in Cape Town on Tuesday.

He also apologised to Taznè van Wyk’s family for allowing a convicted criminal to roam the streets.

The 54-year-old suspect - who had been released on parole and has 11 other convictions - stands accused of kidnapping and killing the 8-year-old.

“We are going to make sure that the parole system is revamped,” vowed Ramaphosa.

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Pangaker has been convicted of murder, car theft, assault, housebreaking, culpable homicide and child neglect.

“This does not happen to any child ever again where a person who has been released on parole participates in a murder like this,” Ramaphosa told the community.

The president vowed that the local police will be summoned to explain claims that there was a delay in tracing Van Wyk.

The little girl’s body was found in a storm water drain in Worcester about 90 kilometres from were she was last seen.

Pangaker pointed out the location.

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Ramaphosa added: “To use this moment to ensure that our parole system that it changes that there should never ever be a case where a person who is known to be a criminal, who will continue to commit other crimes should ever be released by the parole system.”

Pangarker is expected to make his second appearance in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on April 17.