On Thursday, 4 November 2021, the suspect, a 38-year-old man, was meant to appear in court on a charge of attempted murder for an alleged incident that was reported in June 2021. And the complainant is his former girlfriend.
However, the suspect did not appear in court that day. Instead, he made his way to a primary school in Ikageng, where his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, Kamogelo Sithole, is a learner. He then proceeded to kidnap the 10-year-old girl and this was the last time the girl was seen alive.
When the child did not return home after school, the mother and ex-girlfriend reported a case of kidnapping. Ikageng police immediately started their search for both the girl and the suspect.
The body of the kidnapped girl found
On Sunday, 7 November, the suspect was traced to Zakhkeke informal settlement in Ikageng. And at around 14:00 police arrested him, however, he could still not give police a full account of what happened to the girl.
And on Monday, 8 November, the police investigated the suspect’s shack. It was here at around 09:45 the lifeless body of Kamogele was found. She was hidden under the bed and it is suspected that she was strangled. For now, whether the victim was raped or not is still under investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, stated that police will ensure that the suspect is held accountable and pay for this heinous crime in prison.
Media Statement: Suspect to appear in court for murder of a 10-year-old