Wouter Pieters, 31, made an appearance at the Kenhardt Magistrate’s Court in Northern Cape, South Africa, facing charges of kidnapping and murder for allegedly taking the life of his two-month-old son, whose body was discovered inside a discarded backpack in the area on March 10, 2024. Pieters, who had been evading authorities, was apprehended on Sunday, March 24.
The incident unfolded after a domestic dispute between Pieters and the child’s mother on March 9, leading to Pieters fleeing the home with the baby tucked in a backpack.
Despite the mother’s immediate report to the police, Pieters remained at large until community members spotted him at the Kenhardt golf course, leading to his arrest and subsequent handover to the authorities.
Sergeant Timothy Sam, the spokesperson for the Northern Cape police, informed the local publication Diamond Fields Advertiser that members of the public had apprehended Pieters, who was slated to appear in the local magistrate’s court.
Pieters had a brief court appearance on Tuesday, where he was formally charged with the murder and kidnapping of the two-month-old boy.
The cause of the baby’s death remains uncertain at this stage.
The case has been postponed until April 3 for a formal bail application.
Pieters has been kept in custody until his next court appearance.
Police stated that their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, the Northern Cape police commissioner, commended the community for their vigilance and collaboration in locating the suspect.
