Family’s house burned after son is accused of rape and murder

BURGERSFORT – The Nangoma family have been forced to flee from Praktiseer for their safety. Their house was torched by arsonists in Dark City last Monday.

The family’s son, Levy Nangoma (28), has been accused of allegedly raping and killing Boithakgatso Komana (6) on December 3.

“It is alleged that the victim was playing with other children in the neighbourhood when her mother noticed that she had disappeared and started to search for her, with assistance of the community,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Brig Motlafelo Mojapelo.

The SAPS were called and proceeded with the search operation. The child’s body was discovered dumped in a neighbour’s yard. Nangoma was arrested.

He appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on December 6 and chose to abandon his bail option.

After the suspect’s court appearance, the community took matters in their own hands and set the family’s six-roomed house alight.

“We feel unsafe. We don’t condone what Levy did, but they cannot just burn our property like that. I worked hard to build this home and now I have lost everything. We will have a bleak Christmas, without a home and our belongings,” said the mother, Martha Nangoma.

She pleaded for assistance to rebuild her house. “I sold veggies to build the house and now I have nothing.”
Mojapelo confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property had been opened at the Tubatse SAPS.

“We plead with the communities not to take the law into their own hands. The suspect is in custody and he will appear again in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on February 2.”

Meanwhile, philanthropist and journalist Thomo Nkgadima has bought groceries for the Nangoma family.

“I saw a need to assist the family. They have lost everything in the fire. The groceries will help them to have a better Christmas.”