The body of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, a grade 8 pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, was found mutilated on Sunday in a sad tragedy that has shocked Roodepoort.
The horrific murder, which took place during National Child Protection Week, has shocked the community and raised concerns about South Africa’s children’s safety.
The discovery of Likhona in a horrifying state shocked her school and the family, who described her as a bright and promising young girl.
“She was full of life, always smiling. This is a nightmare,” said her uncle and family spokesperson Mthobeli Fose.
Found dead in an open field
According to Fose, the family believed the girl was playing with her friends nearby when they noticed she was not home on Saturday afternoon.
Before she was discovered by someone strolling through an open field, the family was already concerned because she did not sleep at home.
Her lower body had marks that indicated she had been beaten, but the family said they are unsure if she had been raped before being killed.
Matome Chiloane, the MEC for education in Gauteng, strongly denounced the murder.
“As the department, we cannot begin to express how deeply disheartened we are by the loss of Likhona, a young girl learner who had a bright future ahead of her,” said Chiloane.
“For her life to have been taken from her in such a brutal manner is unacceptable, and we call on law enforcement authorities to speedily apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.
“We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and the school community of Ikusasalethu Secondary School, assuring them that we share their pain.”
Olorato Mongale’s gruesome murder
The murder of Likhona follows the discovery of the severely battered body of Olorato Mongale, a 30-year-old former journalist and postgraduate student at Wits, outside a car workshop on Cambridge Road in Lombardy West, Johannesburg.
Mongale’s body was discovered last Sunday. Mongale is thought to have gone on a date with a man she knew as “John”, who ended up killing her.
According to police investigations, Mongale unintentionally helped solve her own murder and exposed a criminal syndicate that preys on women by giving her friends her location.
Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya, the primary suspect, was shot and killed last week by police in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, after he allegedly confessed to the murder and stated that he was considering suicide.
Bongani Mthimkhulu, another suspect, is still at large.
MORE: Body of missing Wits University student found dumped in Lombardy East
