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Courtney Pieters murder trial postponed

The rape and murder trial of Mortimer Saunders is expected to resume in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday, as the prosecutor remains booked off sick.

Advocate Megan Blows informed Judge Pearl Mantame that her colleague Esmeralda Cecil was still ill before the matter was again postponed on Tuesday.

Defence advocate Mornay Calitz didn't object.

READ: Courtney Pieters case postponed as prosecutor booked off sick

Courtney Pieters' decomposing body was discovered in Epping Industria in May, nine days after her disappearance from her Elsies River home.

Saunders faces charges of premeditated murder and rape, but denies that he planned the toddler's death or that he raped her while she was alive.

In his plea explanation, he confessed to murder and to using his fingers to penetrate her after her death.

READ: Courtney Pieters murder trial postponed for consultations over forensic tests

Saunders said he had given Pieters ant poison to make her sick, before he choked her, beat her and used a towel to close her mouth.

He claimed he had done it because of "ill feelings" between him and her mother, Juanita.

Saunders - a childhood friend of Pieters' father who lived in the same house - had also apparently been irritated because the toddler wanted to watch TV in his room and he wanted to sleep.

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