Community demands ‘people’s justice’ for suspect
"We shall continue to fight gender-based violence with the vigour and might it deserves. Enough is enough," said Masemola during the burial.
SEKHUKHUNE – A 35-year-old suspect appeared before the Nebo Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the alleged murder of Thandi Mampane (11), from Ga-Marishane Village.
Bheka Nkgodi Rapolai is facing charges of abduction, rape and murder. He was denied bail on his first court appearance and the case was postponed to October 1, where he will make a formal bail application.
Rapolai made his first appearance amid a background of hostile crowds and angry locals. They demanded he be given people’s justice.
Mampane allegedly left home for school on September 5 and never returned. Her lifeless body was found the following day outside the village in bushes. It is alleged that the girl was raped before she was killed. She was a grade 5 pupil at Marishane Primary School.
Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said Rapolai committed these heinous crimes while on parole for an offence of escaping from lawful custody and had served a year of his three-year sentence.
“The missing person incident was reported to the SAPS and a search operation ensued until her body was found in bushes outside this village.” Ngoepe also said police investigations are ongoing in this case.
The Mampane family said they are still traumatised by their child’s death. “It’s so hard for the family to accept that she is gone. She was a lively child who had big dreams in life.
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We suspect she was strangled, as there were bruises on her neck and she was half-naked. We wish justice will prevail and those who killed her be handed a life sentence.”
Meanwhile on September 14, hundreds of mourners attended the girl’s funeral at Tisane cemetery in Ga Marishane. Among the attendees were Limpopo premier, Stan Mathabatha, MEC for community safety, Dickson Masemola, Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM)’s mayor Stan Ramaila and Makhuduthamaga Municipality’s mayor Minor Bahula.
“We shall continue to fight gender-based violence with the vigour and might it deserves. Enough is enough,” said Masemola during the burial.
