The Press
January 18 2007

Plans for Charlene's funeral

The family of Zimbabwean girl Charlene Makaza is expected today to announce plans for her funeral.

The 10-year-old died of suspected suffocation this month, prompting a police homicide investigation.

Police have ruled out an intruder entering the family's Bryndwr home on the night she suffered fatal injuries.

Charlene was living with her aunt, uncle, two cousins and 12-year-old sister, who has since been moved into Child, Youth and Family care.

Family lawyer Susan Lewis this week refused to comment on the case, including allegations Charlene was sexually assaulted.

Pastor Thomas Gonera spoke to the family last night and expected plans for Charlene's service would be known today.

A police spokeswoman said she had not been informed that Charlene's family had collected her body, despite officers notifying them on Tuesday last week that they could.

She understood a funeral director had been engaged.

A pathologist's report into Charlene's death is expected this week.