Carel Pieter Daniel Fouché, 35, admitted in the Stilfontein regional court in North West that he repeatedly struck a two-year-old boy, causing the child’s death from blunt force trauma to the head.
The victim was Kelvin Bart Nieuwenhuizen. The incident took place on the night of 14–15 May 2025 at a house in Clubview Street, Stilfontein. Several families lived in the house. Court records and Fouché’s own plea description described the property as a place of regular drug use, including crystal meth and “goof.”
Fouché was in a relationship with the child’s grandmother, Marietjie Niewenhuizen. The toddler was staying in the grandmother’s room because of the mother’s drug addiction. On the evening of 14 May 2025, Fouché and the grandmother used drugs. She fell asleep soon afterwards. During the night the child began crying. Fouché, still under the influence, became irritated because the crying continued and the grandmother did not wake. He then repeatedly hit the two-year-old with open hands and fists.
The grandmother later woke and took the child from Fouché. The full extent of the injuries only became clear the next morning. Fouché said he woke to find the child lying on the floor, wrapped in a blanket and not breathing.
A post-mortem examination by Dr Ruweida Moorad established that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Court-related reporting confirmed the child had sustained 20 injuries.
Fouché and the grandmother were arrested shortly after the body was found. The grandmother was initially also charged with murder. That charge was later withdrawn and she was released in November following the 2025 arrest. Fouché remained in custody.
On 7 July 2026 Fouché pleaded guilty to murder in the Stilfontein regional court. In a written plea explanation signed that day he stated that he knew the assault on the small child could cause death, that he acted intentionally and unlawfully in taking the child’s life, and that drug use did not amount to a defence. He expressed remorse and said he was deeply sorry for his conduct.
The case was postponed for pre-sentence reports. An appearance on 20 August 2026 was further postponed to 29 September 2026 for sentencing after the regional magistrate was on sick leave and the necessary reports were not yet ready. Fouché remained in custody pending the sentencing decision.
Community members in Stilfontein followed the case from the time of the child’s death. The house was known locally as a drug den. The child’s body was discovered under a blanket in a bedroom. Funeral arrangements and community support took place in the weeks after the death in May 2025.
These details are drawn from the court record, Fouché’s plea explanation, the post-mortem finding, and contemporaneous local reporting of the arrests, charges, guilty plea and postponements.
Two Abandoned Hand Grenades Recovered in Wilro Park, Roodepoort
Police in Roodepoort recovered two abandoned hand grenades from an open field in the Wilro Park area on 24 September 2026.
The explosives were discovered at approximately 20:00 by a passer-by, who immediately alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS). Members of the SAPS Explosives Unit responded to the scene and safely removed both devices.
No arrests have been made. Police investigations continue to determine the circumstances under which the grenades were left in the field.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the nearest police station, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip via the MySAPS App.
Members of the public are reminded that if they encounter any suspected explosive device, they should not touch, move or approach it. They should move away from the area and contact SAPS immediately.
This account is based solely on the official SAPS statement issued on 30 September 2026. No further verified details regarding the origin of the grenades, any linked suspects, or additional recoveries have been released at this stage.
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