By BAKANG MOKOTO
The ANC in the North West said is saddened by the continuous gruesome killings of women and children in the province. The ANC provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said the ruling party is gravely perturbed by the deaths of Thato Lesetedi (24) from Mafikeng and Zanele Biya (15) in Rustenburg recently.
The suspect (40) briefly appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on Wednesday for the alleged kidnapping and murder of Biya. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the alleged suspect was seen leaving a local tavern in Chaneng village outside Phokeng in the company of the victim and her friend (18) on 24 December 2019.
“He allegedly went to his place where he raped the pair. Subsequent to the incident, a case of rape was opened for investigation. The suspect evaded the arrest until he met Biya at the same tavern again on 31 December 2019. They left the tavern and were both seen entering the nearby bushes between midnight and 1am.
“Since then, the victim was never seen and as a result, the victim’s parents opened a case of kidnapping on 3 January 2020. At that point, the suspect was already in detention after being arrested on 1 January 2020 through information received from members of the community for the initial rape allegedly committed on 24 December 2019,” said Mokgwabone.
He further said the suspect appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on two separate cases of rape. Mokgwabone added that further investigation into the matter led to the discovery of the 15-year-old victim’s decomposed body in the bushes at about 11:00 on Sunday near Chaneng village in Rustenburg.
The North West Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and said that the police will have no mercy in dealing with those who commit gender based violence. He expressed his gratitude to members of the community for coming forth with information that led to the arrest of the suspect.
Furthermore, Kwena urged the public to collaborate with the police in protecting women and children as well as to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book as it happened in this incident. Meanwhile, the ANC Provincial Convenor, Basetsana Dantjie visited the Biya’s family to express the ANC’s heartfelt condolences.
Meanwhile, the ANC Provincial Convenor, Basetsana Dantjie visited the Biya’s family to express the ANC’s heartfelt condolences.
Morolong said: “These heartrending incidents represent a painful reminder that women and children continue to endure suffering in the hands of barbaric monsters that should be isolated from society. We urge our communities to work with our law enforcement agencies to ensure that culprits of these hideous acts are brought to book.
“We further direct that members of the ANC should actively support all affected families. The ANC-led government is called upon to ensure that it is available to the affected families by providing requisite professional support. We wish all affected families and communities’ strength during these dark hours,” he said.
The Guardian 