Eleven-year-old’s alleged killer charged
"The suspect was arrested on the same day at his house after he was positively linked to the incident through forensic evidence.
BURGERSFORT – The surge of killings of women and children continues in the Sekhukhune region.
A 31-year-old man, Patrick Putana Lephoto from Bothashoek, appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on September 10.
Lephoto was arrested by the Tubatse SAPS on September 8 in connection with the alleged murder of an 11-year-old girl, Kgothatso Defny Dibakoane of Shushumela section in Praktiseer.
The young girl’s body was found by community members, dumped next to the Tubatse River on September 8.
Her body had open wounds that showed she was badly beaten.
“It is alleged that on Tuesday September 7 at about 15:00, the young girl was playing with other children outside her home when she saw her mother’s ex-boyfriend passing and approached him.
“The two then left together. It became late, prompting the mother to search for the girl.
“The mother was then informed by neighbours that the child was last seen leaving with Lephoto. She reportedly rushed to his house in Bothashoek, but the suspect denied having information about the child’s whereabouts and even assisted the terrified mother in the search,” revealed Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Brig Motlafelo Mojapelo.
After the discovery of the body, the police were informed and swiftly arrived on the scene.
They then commenced with initial investigations.
The deceased was identified by her family as Kgothatso, a grade 4 pupil at Itirele Primary School.
“The suspect was arrested on the same day at his house after he was positively linked to the incident through forensic evidence.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the child might have been raped before the murder. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine how she was killed,” added Mojapelo.
Limpopo provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, strongly condemned this incident in which yet again, another vulnerable member of society has fallen victim to heartless individual.
Hadebe thanked Tubatse SAPS members for acting promptly in arresting the suspect.
Lephoto’s case was postponed to September 21. He was denied bail and remanded in custody.
Police investigations continue.
