http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=124&objectid=10419069
NZ Herald
January 14 2007; 12:35
Police silent on Zimbabwean girl sex abuse claims
NZPA
Charlene Makaza
AUCKLAND - Police today refused to
comment on reports that Charlene Makaza's sister has been taken into care after
allegations Charlene was sexually assaulted before she was killed.
Charlene, 10, was found in bed at
her Christchurch home on January 6 unconscious and having difficulty breathing.
Doctors were unable to revive her
and she died about 1am the next morning without regaining consciousness.
Hospital authorities notified police
with concerns about the death and a homicide investigation was launched after a
post mortem examination indicated Charlene appeared to have been suffocated.
A detective sergeant working on the
case -- who did not want to be named -- told NZPA today police had no comment
on media reports of allegations of sexual abuse or that Charlene's sister had
been taken into care.
Yesterday the Weekend Herald, citing
unnamed sources, reported Charlene was sexually assaulted by her killer before
her death.
The Sunday Star Times said today
Charlene's sister had been taken into care amid allegations someone sexually
assaulted Charlene before killing her.
A Child Youth and Family (CYF)
spokeswoman yesterday confirmed to the paper Charlene's sister had been taken
into CYF custody, but would not say why.
Charlene and her 12-year-old sister
moved from Zimbabwe after the deaths of their parents a couple of years ago to
live with their aunt and uncle, and two cousins aged 20 and 24 at Hollyford
Ave, in suburban Bryndwr.
Police said last week they were
satisfied there was no evidence of an intruder having entered the two-storey
weatherboard house.
Homicide investigation head
Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston said police were continuing to interview
family members who were present in the house when Charlene was found
unconscious.
Forensic test results from a second
post mortem examination were not expected to be available "before the end
of next week at the earliest", he said.
Mr Johnston refused to say if the
involvement of a family lawyer had complicated matters for police.
Christchurch lawyer Susan Lewis
confirmed she was acting for the family.