{"id":296182,"date":"2026-04-10T10:03:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/?p=296182"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:03:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:03:31","slug":"man-charged-with-rape-murder-of-7-year-old-parkside-girl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/man-charged-with-rape-murder-of-7-year-old-parkside-girl\/","title":{"rendered":"Man charged with rape, murder of 7-year-old Parkside girl"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KUGOMPO CITY <\/strong>– A 45-year-old man, Clive Smith has been arrested and appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 9 April in connection with the murder, rape, and kidnapping of a 7-year-old girl, Kenisha Thompson in Parkside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the child\u2019s body was found at a dumpsite in Second Creek, Parkside, on 4 April 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“She had been raped and strangled,” she claimed. “The child was last seen playing with friends when an unknown male asked her about her father at a local spaza shop.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gantana added that the other children left without informing Thompson’s grandmother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A missing person case was opened, and Search and Rescue later located her body,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following further investigation, including witness statements from the children who saw the deceased with the suspect, Gantana stated that a post-mortem confirming rape and strangulation, the suspect being detained on 7 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcoming the arrest, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality welcomed the arrest in a statement. “The Municipality expresses its deep sorrow and strongly condemns this heinous act,” it reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executive Mayor, Councillor Princess Faku, has commended law enforcement for their swift response and reiterated the Municipality\u2019s commitment to ensuring justice is served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe remain resolute in our call for accountability. Our thoughts are with the family and the community during this difficult time,\u201d said Faku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The matter was remanded to Monday, 13 April for Smith’s possible bail application. He will remain in custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Man (27) arrested for brutal murder of girl (8) in KwaLanga<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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