“Boithakgatso was doing grade one. She was a very bubbly person, lovely and caring. She was playing outside and one of our neighbours raped her and killed that child – so we are very much in pain. We don’t know what to do. We just want Lord to help us. He must not get bail at all. He must get rotten in jail.”
Angry community members pelted the windows of the house where the suspect stays with stones. They also tried to set it alight. Police intervened and rescued the family. Ordinary residents have expressed shock and disbelief at the incident.
“We are hurt as residents of Praktiseer Dark City Section. We are afraid because we also have kids. We are afraid to leave them alone. Our area is not safe anymore. The government needs to do something about it. We are often afraid our children are not safe. We are very hurt. We can’t even sleep at night.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says the suspect will appear in court soon.
“A 28-year-old suspect, who was arrested for allegedly raping a six-year-old child and thereafter killed her at Dark City in Praktersier, will appear in court on Monday facing charges of rape and murder. The suspect allegedly called the child from the street Friday afternoon where she was playing with others. The tiny body of the deceased was found in the neighbour’s yard just before midnight after a search operation in the area. The suspect was immediately arrested.”
The Komape family has not yet received counselling. The incident took place at a time when the country is still observing 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children.
