'I slashed her throat'

Cape Town - A man who at first denied slitting his ex-girlfriend’s throat has now changed his tune and wants to enter into a deal with the State.

Shaune Pekeur, 22, died a horrific death in front of her young child after her throat was slashed as she stood outside her Boshoff Street home in Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain.

Police arrested Moegamat Zayd Willis for the grisly November 2011 murder allegedly committed in front of his little son Zayaan.

The son of a cop, Willis insisted he was innocent.

But the Daily Voice can reveal he has now had a change of heart and does not want to proceed with the trial.

Willis appeared briefly before Magistrate Ruth Jakuja in the Mitchell’s Plain Regional Court on Thursday.

He was dressed in traditional Muslim attire, sporting a fez and tasbeeh around his neck.

But the matter was quickly postponed for the Senior Public Prosecutor to review his request for a plea deal.

Willis showed no emotion and didn’t even glance at the family of his murdered ex-girlfriend seated in the public gallery.

He left the court hastily after the matter was postponed to October 9.

The young mother had obtained a protection order against Willis four months before her death.

Witnesses claimed Willis was dressed in a hooded jacket when he walked up to Shaune without saying word and slit her throat.

On Thursday , her family was shocked at his change of heart. And they are now demanding the death penalty or two life terms for Willis.

Shaune’s cousin, Razia Fry, 29, says Willis must face a trial despite now changing his plea to guilty.

“He must get two life sentences because he took a life and he is depriving their child of having both parents,” she said.

Shaune’s other cousin Vanessa Oliver, 30, says she wants him to face the death penalty. “The law failed her and I believe it was premeditated murder,” she says. “They must bring back the death penalty because it is a life for a life.

“Our country must look at the justice system of other countries and implement the lethal injection.”

Shaune’s sister, who asked not to be named, as well as their mother Ursula Pekeur say prosecutors informed them Willis could face 20 years behind bars.

“On August 8, he asked for the matter to continue after the month of Ramadaan,” says Ursula.

“The prosecutor told us he can get between 20 and 25 years, but we are just tired of all the postponements.

“He doesn’t want to stand trial and if he gets the plea it means we as a family won’t have to sit through the trauma of a trial.”

Daily Voice