BULTFONTEIN -The preliminary hearing of the murder and rape case against a 29-year-old man from Bultfontein in the Free State has been postponed to Saturday 29 August in the Bultfontein Magistrates’ Court for further investigation. The matter involves a seven-year-old child.

Mojalefa Senokoatsane, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, said the accused was remanded in custody after he abandoned his bail application during his appearance on Thursday 13 August.

The accused faces charges of rape and murder following the death of a little girl on Sunday 9 August in Khotha, a farming community located near the town. Police reported the lifeless body of the child was found underneath the bed in a shack dwelling with her pants pulled down and injuries on her neck. She was declared dead by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.

Senokoatsane said the accused had allegedly visited a co-worker residing in the area when he encountered the deceased child and called her to a shack situated behind an RDP house on the same property.

“The state alleges that the accused locked the child inside the shack, where he raped and strangled her. It is further alleged that he concealed her body under a bed before leaving the scene. The deceased’s body was later discovered by her sister, who noticed a hand protruding from underneath the bed,” he said.

Senokoatsane said the NPA will work closely with the investigating team to ensure the matter is thoroughly prepared for prosecution.

“This devastating incident once again highlights the vulnerability of children to violent crime and the urgent need for collective action to protect them. The NPA remains unwavering in its commitment to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), as well as all forms of violence against children, by pursuing the effective prosecution of perpetrators and ensuring that justice is served for victims and their families. As the matter is now before the court, the NPA will refrain from commenting further on the merits of the case,” said Senokoatsane.

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