Cape Town - Bishop Lavis residents have threatened to kill the man accused of murdering little Xavier Mitchell if he is released from police custody.
A large group of residents gathered at Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the much-anticipated appearance of Mervyn White, who allegedly stabbed the little boy to death last Wednesday.
While White was not brought to court due to his injuries, his hearing went ahead in his absence.
White is the brother of Xavier’s nanny. Police said the suspect, who is in his forties and apparently has a mental disorder, allegedly had a psychotic episode when he stabbed Xavier three times with a knife in the back.
It is alleged that the nanny had gone to the toilet and left Xavier with the suspect, and when she returned, the child had been stabbed.
After the stabbing, the suspect ran away but the community apprehended him in a mob justice attack before calling the police.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Graham Lindhorst said more than 400 residents have already signed the petition calling for White’s bail application to be denied.
“The community gathered at Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Monday to oppose the release of the suspect and to support Xavier’s parents,” said Lindhorst.
“During the court proceedings it was revealed that White was beaten so badly that he is still in hospital. He was charged in absentia with the murder of Xavier.
“We heard that the doctors have revealed that he will be discharged on Friday. The magistrate ordered that he be brought to court when discharged and the case was postponed to Friday.”
Lindhorst said angry residents have vowed to kill White if he is ever released.
“The community of Bishop Lavis is very angry and they will not play with him, they will kill him.
“The court needs to keep him in custody because he is a danger to other children. His release will only endanger him more if the community gets hold of him. All we are asking is for justice for Xavier.”
Meanwhile, Xavier will be laid to rest this weekend.
His mother, Sylvia, said: “We will be burying him on Saturday and the funeral will be attended by the community who has continued to support us.”
Cape Argus