Toddler killer 'Chicken' will remain a threat: psychologist

31 July 2015 - 16:48 By Nomahlubi Jordaan

It's unlikely the killer of three-year-old Cuburné van Wyk can be rehabilitated because he has not taken responsibility for the murder. This was the opinion of Professor Gerard Labuschagne‚ a clinical psychologist at the South African Police Service's investigative psychology unit‚ after he interviewed Nathaniel Katlego “Chicken” Mpoku and his mother to compile a report for Mpoku's sentencing.Labuschagne was testifying on Friday in the South Gauteng High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.Mpoku‚ 26‚ was found guilty in May of kidnapping and murdering Cuburné‚ 3. He was the last person seen with Cuburné on the day the child disappeared from Reiger Park‚ east of Johannesburg‚ in August last year. His burnt body was found at a nearby mine dump three days later. He had been strangled.Mpoku is the eldest of seven children and he dropped out of school after completing Grade 9.Labuschagne said that during his interview Mpoku denied having murdered Cuburné.“No form of rehabilitation can be effective if the accused does not admit to what he has done and take responsibility‚” Labuschagne said‚ adding that as long as Mpoku did not take responsibility for his actions‚ he had no motive to change.He said Mpoku committed the murder while he was on parole for housebreaking‚ for which he was sentenced to six years in prison.“Any lack of compliance with sanctions‚ such as parole or bail‚ are indicative that mechanisms at the state’s disposal to control the accused’s behaviour will most likely not be effective.”Labuschagne also told the court that Mpoku failed to tell him that he had two previous theft convictions. In both cases‚ his father was the complainant and said Mpoku had stolen items from the family home.“I am of the opinion that the accused poses‚ and will continue to pose‚ a serious on-going threat to children who are similar to his previous victim and is a high risk for continued theft/housebreaking crimes‚” Labuschagne said in his report. - TMG Courts and Law, RDM News Wire..

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