Premier Modise calls for united action to stop violence against children in Mmakau

North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned in the strongest terms possible the gruesome murder of an 11-year-old girl from Mmakau village outside Brits and called for united action to uproot crime and violence against children in the area.“We commend police for the speedy arrest of the alleged perpetrator. While we understand and share the anger within the community, we appeal for calm and for the matter to be left up to our competent courts for justice to be done, Violence against children in Mmakau has to be stopped,” said Premier Modise.

The Premier welcomed the support from the Provincial Structure of the Progressive Women’s Movement South Africa which also called on the community to join hands to stop crime violence against children in Mmakau.

This is not the first time a girl has been found dead in the area. Ofentse’s friend Neo Ramoso disappeared in November and when her body was found three days later,the skin had been peeled off her face and some pasts of her body were missing.

According to police, the arrested suspect, a 41-year old neighbour had gained entry to the child’s home through a window and snatched Ofentse Mogale as she was sleeping with her younger sibling,9-year-old Neo early on Saturday.The child’s 40-year-old mother, Nkele Mogale was sleeping with her boyfriend in the other room and were woken up by screams from the girl’s sibling. By the time they got outside, the child was already gone. The matter was reported to the police who summoned the dog unit to assist in the search.

The body of the girl identified as Ofentse Mogale was found later that day in a neighbour’s shack, hidden under a bed. She had been strangled. Police were investigating whether the child was raped.

The suspect who is in police custody is expected to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday to answer to charges of kidnapping and murder.