The Press
February 3 2007

Uncle charged in Charlene case
by Mike Steere and Janine Bennetts

The uncle of 10-year-old Charlene Makaza will today appear in the Christchurch District Court charged with her sexual violation and murder.

George Gwaze, 54, was arrested last night, ending an intensive three-week homicide investigation by police after Charlene, a Zimbabwean immigrant, died on January 7.

Gwaze's wife, Sifiso Gwaze, last night confirmed to The Press her husband had been arrested by police.

She said he had gone for an interview with police last night and was arrested. She did not wish to comment further.

Homicide inquiry head Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston declined to comment on the arrest last night.

"We have still got a lot more work to be done," he said.

Charlene was at her two-storey home on the corner of Hooker and Hollyford avenues in Bryndwr 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 the alleged sexual assault and suffocation on January 6.

Police earlier described the sexual assault on Charlene as violent and horrific.

South Island Zimbabwean Association secretary Taz Mukorombindo said the community would be totally shocked by the arrest.

"We knew they were investigating the family, but we didn't know there'd be an arrest," he said.

"They were a fantastic family. It's certainly going to be a shock (to the community), there's no doubt about that." Mukorombindo said police had notified him about 7pm of an arrest. "We're certainly going to follow the court case."

Family Pastor Thomas Gonera was very surprised to hear of Gwaze's arrest.

"I never expected anything like that," Gonera said.

The homicide inquiry had focused on Charlene's family after police said they had found no evidence of an intruder.

Friends of Charlene earlier told The Press she was a shy child with a "great big smile" and a loving nature.

At her funeral on January 20, Charlene's cousin, Maggie Gwaze, said: "Her death has been devastating to the whole family ... as a family, we are truly grateful to God for giving us this child."

Charlene's parents died in Zimbabwe when she was young, and she and her sister immigrated over a year ago.

Her adoptive family has been in Christchurch for about three years.

Charlene's sister, Charmaine, was taken into Child, Youth and Family (CYF) care after her death.