WARNING: Please note that this article contains details of a graphic nature that might upset sensitive readers.
A convicted child rapist has pleaded guilty to yet another rape and murder of a six-year-old child.
Reagan Zietsman pleaded guilty in the Cape High Court on Tuesday for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Delvina Europa as well as defeating the ends of justice.
In 2017, Zietsman was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl but received a suspended sentence of five years.
It is during this time that he violently raped and murdered Europa.
Zietsman testified how he used to smoke tik and mandrax with Europa's father, who in turn had also admitted this in court.
In March last year, he led Europa to the bushes where he raped and killed her.
He told the court how he covered her nose and mouth to stop her from screaming but he soon realised that she had stopped breathing.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Eric Ntabazalila says Zietzman then submerged her body in shallow water in the hopes of destroying any DNA.
The Investigating Officer in the case Sergeant Carlo Alexander also testified and said that he knew Zietzman very well as they all grew up together.
He described the crime scene as the most gruesome act he had ever seen in his 16-years as a policeman.
Sergeant Alexander said he was so traumatised when he discovered Europa's body in the water that he took off his raincoat to cover her up.
He told the court if the community had brought the suspect to the scene he would have shot and killed him right there.
The trial continues on Thursday.
