Male Suspect Arrested for Rape and Murder of 4-Year-Old Girl

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old child 38km away in North West, South Africa.

The suspect is believed to have been known to the child’s mother – they were apparently colleagues and he allegedly kidnapped the little girl while her mom was asleep.

North West police apprehended the man at his home in Jan Kempdorp on Thursday, after discovering the child’s naked body and clothes on Sunday at Kgomotso village near Taung (part of the Cradle of Humankind).

North West spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said: “It is alleged that the suspect is a colleague and one of the people who accompanied (the child’s) mother from the tavern to her friend’s house where she slept. The suspect allegedly waited for the mother to fall asleep, then kidnapped the child and took her to the nearby bushes where he raped and killed her.”

The suspect is expected to appear in the Kgomotso Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 May 2021. Investigation into the matter, including the possibility of charging the mother, is underway, said police.

Klerksdorp Father in court for murder of his 2-year-old daughter

The arrest comes after police in the province on Monday arrested a 47-year-old Klerksdorp man for the kidnap and the murder of his two-year-old toddler.

The man from Alabama appeared in court after the lifeless body of his daughter was found inside the ceiling of his residential home… after she had gone missing days earlier.

He allegedly took the child, without the mother’s consent, from relatives who were taking care of her at his girlfriend’s home in Jouberton whilst she (his girlfriend and the toddler’s mom) was in hospital (Thursday 13 May).

“The family members who were taking care of the child, did not mind when the father was taking the child as he usually did when he passed by the mother’s house,” sayid NPA North West spokesperson Henry Mamothame. But “upon inquiry, he denied taking the child”.

When the mother was discharged the following day, she and her family couldn’t find the little girl anywhere. The next day they opened a missing person case, and police investigations led to the father’s arrest on Sunday. He was charged with kidnapping after failing to tell the police where the child was.

“It is alleged that on Monday, following a bad smell coming from the suspect’s house, the neighbours investigated and discovered the lifeless body of the child hidden inside the ceiling. The police were called and a murder charge was added. The man was remanded in custody until his next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

The matter has been postponed until 26 May for further investigations and bail application.

– SAnews.gov.za