A man accused of stabbing his daughters and step-daughters and raping them is believed to have taken his own life, with his body found inside a B&B in Bellville on Tuesday. Charles Smith, 50, was wanted by police and authorities after he allegedly stabbed his two daughters at their residence following his release on bail. Smith was facing a charge of rape and was granted bail in December with strict conditions not to make contact with the victims or to visit their home in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.
It’s further alleged that Smith revisited the victim’s home and stabbed the two daughters, one aged ten, and then fled the scene and went on the run. The children’s mother apparently raised the alarm and contacted the neighbours for help. On December 30, Smith’s body was found inside a room at a B&B in Bellville.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Smith’s body was discovered: “Bellville police registered an inquest for investigation after the body of a 50-year-old male was discovered at a bed and breakfast in Blankenberg Street, Bellville on Tuesday, December 30, at about 3.40pm. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. “A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.” Linda Jones of the Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF) said they were appealing for the justice system to become stricter with conditions for bail.
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“We call for this to stop, this needs to end, we are going to say enough is enough. “The bail conditions, it is as if it is going to assist the victim, it does not, we do not have borders or officers to monitor them, you always find the accused coming back after parole even,” she explained.
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