Tebogo Msimanga |
A 38-year-old man is expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a charge of murder. He was arrested on Monday, 8 November 2021, following an incident wherein the body of 10-year-old Kamogelo Sithole was found inside his shack in Sonderwater informal settlement, Ikageng near Potchefstroom.
Captain Sam Tselanyane of North West Police said it is alleged that on Thursday, 4 November 2021, the suspect was supposedly appearing in court on a charge of attempted murder for an alleged incident that was reported in June 2021, of which the complainant is his former girlfriend.
“Furthermore, it is said that the suspect left the court, without appearing and as a result, a warrant for his arrest was issued.”
Captain Tselanyane added that upon leaving the court, the suspect allegedly went to a Primary School in Ikageng, where his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old girl, Sithole, is a learner and kidnapped the child. “This was the last time the girl was seen alive.”
When the child did not return home after school, the mother reported a case of kidnapping at Ikageng police and a search for the girl as well as the suspect ensued.
On Sunday, 7 November 2021 the suspect was traced at Zakhkele informal settlement in Ikageng. “He was immediately arrested, but could not give the police full account of what happened to the girl.”
On Monday, 8 November 2021, the police proceeded to the suspect’s shack. Upon searching, the lifeless body of Kamogelo was found, hidden under the bed. It is suspected that she was strangled.
Captain Tselanyane further said the possibility that the deceased might have been raped cannot be ruled out and is under investigation.
