Anika witness ‘had scratch marks’

Witnesses in the Anika Smit murder case testified that another witness bore scratch marks shortly after her death.

Pretoria - Two new witnesses have testified in the inquest of slain teenager Anika Smit, with both saying they noted deep scratch marks on the neck and arm of another witness, Damien Treeby, a few days after Anika was found dead in her father’s home in Theresa Park, Pretoria north.

Treeby’s evidence had to be cut short after his identity was leaked on social media despite a court order barring the media or members of the public from revealing the identities of the witnesses.

The two new witnesses were questioned about their relationship with Treeby. The first said he knew Treeby because they attended Gerrit Maritz High School together, as did Anika.

He said Treeby had been asked by his friends about the scratches while they were in the boys’ toilet. He said the scratches were deep and appeared to have been the result of a struggle.

“He was startled. He said a cat scratched his neck but later said he got the scratches after having a fight with his sister,” the witness told the court. He said Treeby tried to hide the scratches with his shirt collar.

tankiso.makhetha@inl.co.za

Pretoria News

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