Killer's wish to go to jail is granted

Cape Town - A self-confessed child killer who was freed by the State has got his wish to be locked up and punished for his crime.

Last week the Daily Voice revealed how Wesley Cupido was released from custody because prosecutors had not secured vital DNA reports linking him to the murder of Brighiette Shenabe, 11.

The 26-year-old told the Daily Voice he was in a drugged state but admitted he did kill the young girl before burying her under a pile of wood close to her Robinvale, Atlantis, home on January 1.

Brighiette was Cupido’s ex-girlfriend’s niece.

Last week Cupido said he had admitted to his crime and was shocked when the court released him a month ago because of outstanding DNA reports.

“I know I did wrong,” he said from his home.

“I am heartbroken, there isn’t a night that goes by without me crying because I killed her.”

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, explained that the case against Cupido was struck off the court roll provisionally, until the State saw fit to re-arrest him.

A frustrated Cupido insisted he be locked up.

“I do not feel satisfied... this case must get done,” he said.

And on Friday he got his wish.

Cupido appeared in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court where he was again charged with kidnapping and murder.

But it was not without drama.

Court had to be postponed twice to prepare and finalise Cupido’s warrant of arrest.

Dressed in a white hooded track-top and a pair of jeans Cupido was accompanied by his family and friends.

He appeared calm as the state prosecutor explained the charges against him before he was led away.

In a statement, Ntabazalila explained that Cupido had made four court appearances before his matter was provisionally withdrawn.

“On Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Cupido told the Daily Voice newspaper, in a published article, that he murdered the 11-year-old girl,” said Ntabazalila.

“He allegedly told the newspaper that he had sleepless nights because he was responsible for her death.

“He even begged to be arrested and be punished.

“Today (Friday) the NPA managed to secure a warrant of arrest for Cupido.”

He said Cupido’s case would be transferred to the Cape High Court for a pre-trial conference on October 9, 2015.

“Now we need to focus our energies on ensuring justice for the 11-year-old girl, her mom, her family and the community of Atlantis,” added Ntabazalila.

Outside court the girl’s mother Nikita Solomons said she is happy with Cupido’s re-arrest.

“I really couldn’t understand why he was not being kept in prison for the murder of my daughter.

“He confessed to the killing, and he must now rot in jail like any other murderer.

“He is evil, and I now know that he will not be seen roaming around as an innocent man.

“We are relieved now that justice has been served.”

Daily Voice

• ‘I killed her, please punish me’