Marleen Konings: The Missing Dutch Girl
Letters
Mostert ended his confession by telling the magistrate that he had lied about the amnesia. He claimed that he did so because he wanted help. "I wanted to find out why I did all those things all these years," he said, according to the Cape Times of December 2, 2004. "Nobody wanted to help me. I have on several occasions in the past asked for help and I was just told to get the matter over and they will help me. It never happens. I just get put in [prison]."
During their conversations, Mostert asked Capt. Viljoen for a pen and some paper, which he wanted to use to write a number of letters. The first was to Marleen's parents. "I am sorry that I can't speak with you personally, but I have to speak to you," Mostert wrote, as quoted in Die Burger of December 3, 2004. "You have lost a wonderful child and I lost a dear friend. Marleen wasn't someone I just met, but we became good friends. She shared much of your family life with me. I am so sorry for what happened and can't forgive myself at this time. Your loss is greater than mine and I will always pray for you."
Mostert also wrote letters to people he had known in his past as well as the investigating team.
"Things weren't supposed to be this way, but the truth will surface during the trial," he wrote in one of the letters. "I have lied about so many things and now I regret it, but my feelings for you were real. I hope that someday you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."
Meanwhile, the Saxion Hogeschool in the Netherlands had already logged almost 1,500 messages in its online register in memory of Marleen. Messages came from around the globe, expressing shock, compassion, outrage and fear. Another Dutch girl left the following message, according to Die Burger of January 23, 2004: "I'm still trying to recall what I was doing on that day when you had to experience mortal fear. I will light a candle for you."
Mostert had been visiting a number of magistrates' courts, facing preliminary charges ranging from the illegal possession of a firearm to robbery to murder. The prosecutor stated that numerous further charges would be added (relating to offenses committed in various provinces) and the Directorate of Public Prosecution was looking to obtain a centralizing order so that all the charges could be heard in one court.
Die Burger (Oos-Kaap) of January 22, 2004, spoke with a 62-year-old German woman outside the court. She had been residing in South Africa for some time, and made her opinion known with a sign reading: "Let the people decide that the death penalty should be reinstated."
On January 23, Mostert was imprisoned in Oudtshoorn on his latest parole violation, where he began to serve the remaining three years of his sentence.