Picture: The deceased, Bokao Gaseimelwe/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
1 August 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie has condemned in the strongest terms the reported rape and murder of Bokao Gaseimelwe (6) at Tseoge village, near Ganyesa. Dantjie applauded law enforcement agencies for the swift arrest of a suspect (26).
She further said according to the preliminary report at their disposal, the mother and the deceased went to Gamonchonyane village to watch a horse-riding competition. Dantjie added that, on their way back home, the mother alighted from a motor vehicle (van) and went to Hlokoloza tavern and her daughter followed her.
“The mother came back alone after a few minutes and entered the vehicle, which drove off. The driver stopped to pee and the mother went to the back of the van to check if her child was asleep.
“Other children who were at the back of the van told her that Bokao followed her. She then realised that the child was missing. Although the car drove back to the tavern, where the mother and other passengers searched for the child, that did not yield positive results,” she said.
Dantjie said the local police were called on Sunday morning, 27 July 2025, to a residence after the girl’s half-naked body was found at the entrance of a pit latrine and a case of rape and murder was opened.
“The death of one child is one too many. We condemn the abuse of those that are vulnerable among us, especially children and women. We appeal to parents to take care of children and never neglect them. Children should not be allowed to enter liquor outlets. It is against the law.
“We bemoan the incident and call for a concerted effort of community members in protecting children and women against perpetrators. Since the sad story broke out, we have assigned social workers to provide ongoing psychological support in the form of trauma counselling to the family,” she said.
Meanwhile, the rape and murder case against the accused was postponed to 4 August 2025, for formal bail application.
The Guardian 