The Press
February 8 2007
Uncle 'categorically' denies killing charge
by Mike Steere
The 54-year-old Zimbabwean immigrant
yesterday made his second appearance in the Christchurch District Court after
being arrested last Friday.
Gwaze is charged with murdering
Charlene Nyasha Makaza, 10, in January and two counts
of sexually violating her.
Gwaze yesterday waved to wife Sifiso Gwaze from the dock. She returned the gesture.
She was accompanied by three family
members.
Gwaze's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, told Judge
Patricia Costigan that Gwaze categorically denied the
charges.
Eaton said he intended applying for
bail but he would wait for disclosure of the police case, including forensics,
before further discussing bail.
The judge remanded Gwaze in custody
to reappear on March 1.
Gwaze's appearance yesterday came one month
after Charlene died in Christchurch Hospital. She was found at her Hollyford Avenue, Bryndwr, home
on January 6 with breathing difficulties and died the next day.
All members of the family were
present at the house when she was found.
Police started a homicide
investigation after hospital authorities notified them of the case and a
post-mortem appeared to show she had died of suffocation.
The investigation team later
revealed Charlene was sexually assaulted near the time of her death.
Police said a week-long scene
examination at the house where Charlene lived with Gwaze, her aunt, her sister
and two adult cousins found no evidence of an intruder's involvement in her
death.
Charlene's sister, Charmaine, 12, has been in Child, Youth and Family care
since the homicide investigation began.