Woman appears in Evander Magistrate’s Court for stepchild’s murder
Palesa Tsotetsi stood in the dock in connection with the death of five-year-old Lungile Maponyana who died in August.
The Evander Magistrate’s Court postponed its case against Palesa Tsotetsi (27) to October 9 for a formal bail application.
Tsotetsi is accused of murdering her five-year-old stepdaughter, Lungile Maponyana, last month.
She allegedly rushed Lungile to the Paulina Morapedi Clinic on August 18, but the child was declared dead on arrival.
According to Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle Police spokesperson, Tsotetsi claimed Lungile had an epileptic fit.
The police at first opened an inquest docket.
However, an autopsy conducted at Ermelo Pathology established that Lungile died due to multiple blunt-force injuries.
Tsotetsi was then arrested and charged with murder.
Community members were picketing outside the court when Tsotetsi appeared in the dock on September 27.
The court gallery was also full.
After the court postponed the case, a clash erupted between Tsotetsi’s family and some community members. The police and security guards had to intervene.
In another case, the police arrested Bathabile Khala (34) on August 15 for allegedly murdering her daughter, Thabano Nkosi (3) at Brandrift farm near eMbalenhle.
The eMbalenhle Police also initially opened an inquest docket when the child’s body was found on the farm.
The post-mortem report revealed that Thabano was assaulted and died of internal injuries.
The inquest was then changed to murder and the police arrested Khala.
Mthethwa said at the time of Khala’s arrest the police also investigated allegations that the mother assaulted the toddler with a belt.
Khala also appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court in August and remains in custody for further investigation.
