Family reeling in agony after daughter (17) slain and raped

Members of a block HH Soshanguve family are reeling in pain after their 17-year-old daughter was raped and strangled to death on her way back from school recently.

Palesa Malatji, a Grade 12 learner at Ntsako secondary school did not make it home from extra classes at the school on Thursday afternoon.

Her lifeless body was found sexually violated the following day next to Echibini secondary school in Soshanguve after her grandmother begged police in the morning to search an overgrown area.

Neighbours had reported they heard screams from the previous night.

Malatji was the firstborn child in her family and leaves behind two younger sisters.

Family spokesperson Thabiso Malatji said: “We are really pained by this sudden, tragic incident.

“It’s not easy to lose a child, more especially when they are a fraction away from ending their secondary schooling and the big opportunities that await them,” said Thabiso.

Thabiso said Malatji’s mum was currently inconsolable.

According to Thabiso, Malatji was on her way back from a learning session at Ntsako secondary school.

“We suspect along the way, the tragic incident occurred as evidence indicated that she was also raped.”

The incident took place a few kilometres from the house, school and the local police station.

He said according to post mortem results, Malatji was strangled to death and raped.

“Malatji was a smart young woman who really enjoyed educating herself through books.

“I recall just how excited she was, she wanted to further her studies in the healthcare system.”

Thabiso said Malatji was adamant on pursuing studies in the pharmaceutical or medical field.

He said crime was rife in the township and children were not safe.

“Police have failed me in Soshanguve and they have become increasingly incompetent.”

Thabiso said when the family went to the police station to ask for help in finding Malatji, it was told that police had no vehicle available.

He said he went back to the police station the next morning at 08:00 to ask police to join the search again – to no avail.

“I returned later with Malatji’s grandmother, who blocked a SAPS vehicle at the gate to demand it partakes in the search.”

Thabiso said the grandmother insisted police search the bushes from where screams had been heard the night before and that was where the lifeless body was found.

He said he was unsure if justice and closure would be brought to the family.

“Our police system cannot be relied on, especially if I was failed on Thursday in seeking Malatji.”

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was in concerned with the learners that picketed outside the Soshanguve police station over safety concerns.

He said the department would ensure action was taken around safety.

Chiloane was visiting the school and family to pay his respects and condolences on Monday.

He said the department was deeply devastated by this gruesome incident.

“We wish to extend our most sincerest condolences to the family and school community.

We will be dispatching our psycho-social support to the school and family. We call upon police to urgently arrest the perpetrators of this unspeakable crime,” he said.

Chiloane said security personnel could possibly be dispatched to patrol schools in high-risk areas.

“We are looking to intensify the safety strategy and procure patrollers.”

He said the department had rolled out a pilot project in 35 schools where CCTV cameras and a command centre were stationed to assist in crime intervention.

“We have 275 high risk schools in the province that will also be part of this project.”

He said the premier’s panic button and warden interventions would form part of the school safety regime.

“They will be part of safety committees at schools.

“We have a safety plan in place. We need to look at the planning and implementation thereof.”

He said the plan would look at broad issues concerning safety in and around schools.

“We are working around the clock to ensure sufficient support to schools that we have identified.”

Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that an investigation of rape and murder was ongoing.

“It is a rape and murder case. No suspect is arrested as yet and police are on the ground following up leads received,” Nevhuhulwi.

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