The Press
January 23 2007
DNA key to deciding if intruder killed girl
Police believe Charlene
Makaza was not raped before her death.
They believe DNA results will tell them
if an intruder entered the Christchurch house where the 10-year-old Zimbabwean
girl suffered her fatal injuries.
Charlene was at her two- storey Hollyford Avenue, Bryndwr, home
with her 12-year-old sister, Charmaine, her aunt and
uncle, Sifiso and George Gwaze, and their 24-year-old
son, George, and 20-year-old daughter, Nothando, when
she was the victim of a sexual assault and suspected suffocation on January 6.
She died in Christchurch Hospital
the next day from her injuries.
Police say they have found no
evidence of an intruder, but refuse to rule it out.
Inquiry head Detective Inspector
Malcolm Johnston said yesterday DNA evidence would show if there was an
intruder.
He said DNA was only one part of the
investigation.
He did not believe Charlene was
raped, and would not comment on speculation she was the victim of an attempted
female circumcision.
"It's just something we don't
want to go into. We are not going to speculate. Her injuries are consistent
with a violent sexual assault," he said.
South Island Zimbabwean Association
secretary Taz Mukorombindo
rejected suggestions that myths about sex with virgins curing HIV/ Aids held
sway in Zimbabwe.
"It may be a common belief in
South Africa, but not our country. Whether it's of any relevance here is quite
debatable," he said. He was also unaware of female circumcision being used
in Zimbabwe.
Johnston said there were still no
specific suspects.
"We are preparing for a long
investigation and we are determined to leave no stone unturned," he said.
"We are continuing to work with the family and get as much background
about Charlene as we can."