SEBOKENG. – Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello says, “The 43-year-old accused was sentenced to two life terms and an additional thirteen years’ imprisonment. The accused was also found guilty for defeating the ends of justice and attempted murder.”
It is reported that the six-year-old child was playing with friends near her grandmother’s home in Sebokeng on Saturday, 31 July 2021 when the suspect lured her to his rented backroom which is not far from the victim’s home.
“The grandmother went looking for her granddaughter when she did not return home after playing at the neighbour’s house. Witnesses indicated that they heard the child crying inside the suspect’s room and the grandmother confronted him. The suspect subsequently felt cornered and stabbed the grandmother before he fled with a black refuse bag containing a heavy substance.
“The police immediately launched a search to locate the missing child and suspect. Within 24-hours the police found the child’s body buried in a mine hole near her grandmother’s home, the suspect was traced and arrested a few days later.”
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has since applauded the thorough investigation carried out by Sebokeng Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit Detective Makonyane Piet Motsoeneng.
Motsoeneng meticulously pieced all the evidence together which resulted in a water-tight case against the accused in court.
Mawela says, “This case was resolved and finalised within months, a clear indication that members of the South African Police Service remain committed in fighting crime against women, children and vulnerable persons.”
