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CHARMAINE Conradie, the eight-year-old girl found slain at the Calitzdorp rubbish dump in February last year, was “waiting for Uncle Gert to give her money” on the day she disappeared, accused Jaftha Andries told the Circuit Court in Oudtshoorn yesterday.

Andries, 43, charged with abduction, rape and murder, admitted earlier this week to having been with her at the tip on the day she disappeared.

He said he had told his lawyer this three weeks before the trial in a written report on a prison visit from his only friend, Isak van Rooyen.

Andries said yesterday he had seen the girl and two friends at the tip and suggested they go home as it was getting late.

“Charmaine said they were waiting for Uncle Gert, who had promised her R10. Her friends went home with Isak. The deceased waited there and when I walked across the road, I saw Gert going to Charmaine.

“Sakkie Tiep told me in the cells I had been innocently jailed, that it was not I who had raped and murdered the child.”

Van Rooyen says Andries was at home with his wife.

Andries said he had made admissions to the police, a prisoner and the Kannaland mayor because of threats.

A 28s gang member, Wilfred Solomons, testified that prisoner Owen Ryneveldt threatened to hit Andries with a pool cue if he did not confess.

The court is hearing a trial within a trial on the admissibility of statements by Andries, who claims he has been singled out by members of the public and gangsters in prison.

The trial continues today.