‘TELL THE TRUTH’ – Sister of murder accused claims he is innocent, offers comfort to Shanice Rudolph’s grieving family

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNews’TELL THE TRUTH’ – Sister of murder accused claims he is innocent, offers comfort to Shanice Rudolph’s grieving familyGenevieve Heunis|Published 2 hours agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AIGRIEF: Anderson Rudolph, the father of murdered Shanice Rudolph and cousin, Natasha Rudolph outside of the Wynberg Magistrate's Court

Image: Genevieve Serra The National Media Group

THE family of the second accused in the murder case of four-months pregnant Shanice Rudolph, whose decomposing body was found buried in a shallow grave at Klip Road Cemetery, says an innocent man is behind bars.

The Gasant family is calling on witnesses and those responsible to come forward with the truth.

Emotions ran high at the Wynberg Regional Court yesterday, where Ashwin “Prof” Davids and Mozaid Gasant appeared for trial preparation.

The pair have yet to plead to the murder charge.

Both men stepped into the dock and appeared eager to see their relatives, who were present in court.

SUPPORT: Family members wore T-shirts showing murdered Shanice Rudolph's photograph

Image: Genevieve Serra / The National Media Group

The magistrate asked about consultations between the accused and their legal teams. The State said these had not taken place because Gasant had been ill and was due to undergo lung-related surgery. He was being held in the hospital division at Pollsmoor Prison and could not attend court.

Both lawyers said they were preparing to consult with their clients. The matter was postponed to 22 October for the outcome of the consultations.

Outside court, Rudolph’s family became emotional.

Her father, Anderson Rudolph, said they were overwhelmed with grief and hoped the matter could be finalised so that their family could find peace and justice.

“We are too heartbroken to speak,” he said.

“She was such a quiet child who was always at home. We are heartbroken every time we have to come to this court and return home without getting any closure.”

Gasant’s sister, who asked not to be identified, said the family was calling for the truth to be revealed. She claimed that her brother was innocent and offered comfort to Rudolph’s family.

ACCUSED ONE: Ashwin Davids when he was younger

“He is only 23 and is still so young, yet he is where he is now,” she said.

“The people who were involved must come forward and tell the truth so that Shanice’s family can get justice.

“It was said in prison by certain people that my brother was not involved.

“I feel it is time for those who were there or know what happened to come forward and tell the truth, so that justice can be served for the family and for my brother, who has been sitting in prison for almost a year.”

The State alleges that Davids murdered Rudolph, with whom he had been in a relationship, and sought the assistance of another person to dispose of her body.

It is further alleged that Davids asked a man to dig a hole, claiming it was for an animal. The man allegedly became suspicious after learning that Rudolph had been reported missing.

Rudolph, 24, was reported missing on 4 December last year after she was last seen in Cafda, Retreat.

Her decomposing body was found buried on top of another woman’s grave at Klip Road Cemetery.

Her face had decomposed so badly that her family had to rely on DNA evidence to identify her.

It is believed that she was suffocated or choked to death. Earlier claims stated that she had been beaten with a spade.