A grade 7 pupil was found raped and strangled to death in her own home in the early hours of Sunday in Soshanguve, north of Tshwane.
The pupil from Echibini Junior Secondary School was murdered by an intruder who gained access into her home through a window.
Suspect gained entry through window
The Gauteng department of education said according to information at its disposal, the perpetrator entered the girl’s house through a window. He reportedly proceeded to rape and strangle the girl to death.
“It is alleged that her parents were sleeping in the other room, and only realised what took place in the morning when they wanted to wake her up,” said the department in a statement.
Still at large
Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
“We are devastated at the occurrence of this gruesome incident. [The department] wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the learner’s family and school community at large. We are hopeful that law enforcement agencies will work speedily to bring the perpetrator to book,” said Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane.
Two men arrested in connection with murder of girl, 15, in Mpumalanga
In Balfour, Mpumalanga, police arrested two male suspects aged 18 and 19 in connection with the death of a 15-year-old girl.
The girl’s lifeless body was discovered at about 9am on Friday with a silver plastic around her private parts.
According to information from the office of the provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, the girl was discovered next to a dilapidated and unfinished house at Goede Section in the morning.
Certified deceased
“Police and paramedics were informed about the incident and upon arrival, a half-naked [girl’s body] with a silver plastic around her private parts was found. She was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel at the scene.”
Police said they opened a murder case and immediately activated all possible resources. The operation led to the arrest of the two men on Saturday.
“The first suspect [aged 19] was arrested on Saturday, December 16, at about 10am. The second suspect was arrested on the same Saturday around 2pm,” said police.
The wo suspects were charged with murder.
“As the probe continues, it cannot be ruled out she might have possibly been raped. However, an autopsy will be conducted as part of the investigation.”
Violence condemned
Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng y Manamela has strongly condemned the brutal killing. She also lauded the police for the swift arrest of the suspects.
“This is a very shameful incident. Especially seeing that we just observed 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. We were looking forward to having zero of such incidents. We hope that the law will take its course and justice will be served,” said Manamela.
