This week Sowetan published the pictures of some of the children who have been senselessly murdered across the country. You asked what has happened to their cases...
Bokgabo Poo, 4, was found mutilated with missing body parts on October 11 in Tamboville, Benoni on the East Rand – a day after she went missing while playing with a friend at the Masoleng Park in Wattville. Ntokozo Zikhale, 30, was arrested and is expected to appear in the Benoni magistrate's court next week on charges of murder, rape, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice and violating Bokgabo's corpse.
Bontle Zethu Ditebogo Mashiyane, 6, of Mganduzweni in Masoyi, near Hazyview, Mpumalanga. She disappeared on April 30 while playing with friends outside her home. Her mutilated body was found 21 days later not far from her house. Bontle's neighbour Ntombikayise Ngwenya, her boyfriend and serial offender and parolee Collen Hlongwane, their friend Thapelo Ngomane, sangoma Samuel Tsela and his son Philasande have been charged with her murder. Their case is back in court on December 5.
Gabisile Shabane, 13, who was living with albinism and her 15-month-old cousin, Nkosikhona Ngwenya, from Vosman, near eMalahleni, were abducted in 2018. The Mpumalanga High Court sitting in the Middelburg magistrate’s court sentenced traditional healer Thokozane Msibi, Knowledge Mhlanga and Brilliant Mkhize to two life terms and 27 years imprisonment each for the murders.
The Phasha siblings – Katlego, 9, Joyce, 7, Tshepo, 5, and Adel, 3, were murdered by their father in February 2020. Lucas Phasha, 52, a former lawyer, had accused his partner Sylvia Monyela of cheating before killing their children. Phasha was sentenced to four terms of life imprisonment in the Limpopo High Court.
Simphiwe Sibeko, 14, went missing on April 2 2020 in Dobsonville, Soweto. Her body was found the following day in an open space. Her mother Nandi said charges against two people, including a 22-year-old who allegedly confessed to the killing, were withdrawn last year.
“They let my daughter’s killers free. I am angry. My daughter was killed and no-one is held to account.”
Hlayiseko Precious Ngobeni, 2, went missing on October 13 in Letsitele village, outside Tzaneen, Limpopo. Her body was found a day later in a bush. No arrests have been made.
Her aunt, Nkensani Maluleka, said the family never expected to bury her at a young age.
"Her mother is not coping. She is having sleepless nights, nightmares and often calls out her daughter’s name while she is asleep. We also do not have closure since no-one has been arrested.’’
Katlego Joja was found floating in the Moretele River, Mamelodi, nearly two weeks after the six-year-old went missing in May 2018. No arrests have been made.
Katlego's uncle Thabiso Storom said the family comes together every year to celebrate her birthday. ‘’There is nothing we can do to change what has happened. To cope with her loss, we sit together and light a candle on her birthday. It is depressing that her case has been moving slow.’’
Ten-year-old Kamogelo Sithole was found dead and stuffed under a bed in a shack days after being kidnapped from Madibeng Primary School in Potchefstroom in November 2021. The girl’s mother’s ex-boyfriend was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in September. Kamogelo’s mother, Betty Sithole, said she misses her child. ‘’Sometimes I wish I could sleep and wake up the next day with my daughter next to me.’’ Sithole said she satisfied with the sentence meted against her ex-boyfriend. ‘’That man always threatened me. I can now continue my life without having to deal with his abuse.’’
In May 2020, Bandile Skosana’s lifeless body was found gashed under a rock in Rethabiseng, Bronkhorstspruit, a day after he had gone missing. No arrests have been made in the case of the four-year-old. Bandile’s father Sipho Mthembu said he is frustrated that no-one has been arrested. “My child was kidnapped and murdered. I am always wondering as to who is the person who did this and why. That person is still out there somewhere. I don’t know if this attack was personal.’’ Mthembu said the family goes to Bandile’s grave each year on his birthday and lays flowers.
Complied by Noxolo Sibiya and Mpho Koko
sibiyan@sowetan.co.za
kokam@sowetan.co.za
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