The Press
January 24 2007

Family of dead girl back home

The family of dead Zimbabwean girl Charlene Makaza has returned to its Christchurch home.

The 10-year-old died in Christchurch Hospital on January 7 after what police believe was a violent sexual assault in the Bryndwr house.

Family members yesterday declined to comment to The Press.

A woman at the house said she did not want to say anything, but suggested the family would like to tell its version of events "some time".

The family's lawyer, Susan Lewis, declined to comment yesterday.

Lewis last week released a statement from the family, voicing concern about some comments reported in the media that were "quite misleading and in relation to particular facts are simply wrong".

Police returned the house to the family more than a week ago.

However, family members stayed elsewhere until Charlene's funeral last Saturday.

Police investigation head Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston this week said he was preparing for a "long inquiry".

Charlene was at home with her 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 found with her fatal injuries.

The family is the centre of the inquiry, although police have not ruled out an intruder.