Sharpeville father Lopang Donald Phele (33), who was detained after being charged with the gruesome murder of his daughter, Keamogetswe ‘Kea’ Mokemane (6), has been denied bail by the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court.

Sedibeng Ster reports that Keamogetswe’s body was discovered with multiple stab wounds on October 8, after her father allegedly fled the scene. Police spokesperson Constable Busisiwe Sango confirmed that the suspect handed himself over to the police on October 9.

The child’s mother, Nthabiseng Mokemane, revealed she had received a disturbing SMS from the father of her child on the night before the incident, stating it would be her ‘last time seeing the child’.

Phele appeared for a formal bail application on Wednesday.

During cross-examination by his lawyer, Phele stated that he would like to return to his family and community to ask for forgiveness for what he has done. Phele stated that he is not a violent person in nature.

Giving his judgment, the magistrate stated that Phele had not provided sufficient reasons compelling the court to grant him bail. He denied the bail based on the severity of the charges that Phele is facing.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster North outside the court, Nthabiseng Mokemane, a cousin and namesake of the mother of the deceased, said that she is heartbroken. “As a family, we really need justice to be served; that is all we want.”

The case was postponed to November 26 for further investigation.

• This article was amended since first being published.

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