Tebogo Msimanga |
The Klerksdorp Magistrates Court on Tuesday denied Mokete Legodi (47) bail in a murder case of his two-year-old daughter. It is alleged that on Thursday 13 May 2021, Legodi went to his girlfriend’s home at extension 20 in Jouberton and took their daughter without the consent of the mother who was in hospital at the time.
North West National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the family members who at the time were taking care of the child, assumed Legodi would bring back the child as he usually did. Upon inquiry, he denied taking the child.
“On 14 May 2021 when the mother got discharged from hospital, she went on a search for the baby with the help of family members but they could not find her. The following day, she went to Jouberton Police Station where a case of a missing person was opened.”
Mamothame added that further investigations by the police led to the arrest of Legodi on Sunday, 16 May 2021. He was charged with kidnapping after failing to tell the police where the child was. “It is alleged that on Monday, 17 May 2021 following a bad smell coming from Legodi’s house, the neighbours investigated and discovered the lifeless body of the child hidden inside the ceiling.”
Advocate Riekie Kriel submitted to the court that the state will argue for a maximum sentence if the accused is convicted. The case is postponed to 27 October 2021 for further investigations.
