The Press
January 16 2007
Lawyer silent on sex allegations
by Mike Steere
The lawyer of a Zimbabwean girl's
family will not comment on suggestions she was sexually assaulted before her
death.
Ten-year-old Charlene Makaza died in
Christchurch Hospital nine days ago after she was admitted with breathing
difficulties a day earlier.
Her condition was initially thought
to be pneumonia, but this was ruled out by medical experts, prompting the
police to start a homicide investigation.
Charlene and her 12-year-old sister
were staying with their aunt and uncle and two cousins in a Bryndwr
house until the death.
Charlene's sister has since been
taken into Child, Youth and Family care amid reports that Charlene was sexually
assaulted.
The family's lawyer, Susan Lewis,
yesterday would not comment on the allegations.
Homicide investigation head
Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston was pleased the family had co-operated by
talking with police, but yesterday would not comment on their accounts of
events.
"We have interviewed them and
they have given us their answers," he said.
"I don't want to speculate. It
is early days yet and there are a lot more inquiries to go."
Johnston had earlier declined to
comment on whether Charlene had been sexually assaulted before her death.
"We are not going to be drawn
into any injuries or other allegations until we have the final report from the
pathologist," he said.
Police last week examined the family
home and found no evidence an intruder had entered the property.
Johnston was mindful of the stress
the police investigation had placed on Charlene's family, but said: "At
the end of the day, police have a job to do and as such the investigation must
be robust and thorough."