SENEKAL – A 16-year-old boy is expected to appear in the Senekal Magistrates’ Court tomorrow – Monday, 19 January, in connection with the murder of Naledi Ramaisa (8). His arrest was the culmination of a Senekal police investigation following the deceased’s mysterious disappearance.
Naledi’s aunt initially reported her as missing on Thursday, 15 January, after she failed to return home to the Tambo settlement that day. According to the complainant, she had left the child at 07:00 when she went to work.
Sgt Sinah Mpakane, spokesperson for the Free State police, said a foul smell from a shack dwelling led to the grim discovery in the neighbourhood of Naledi’s aunt. She said the investigating officer discovered the body the following day during his follow-up visit to the aunt’s residence.
“The shack was locked the previous day when members went to check if they could find anyone. Members then forced the shack door open and discovered the body of a minor inside a 1000-litre blue container. Information gathered at the scene revealed that the owner of the shack was in Welkom and had left the shack in the care of her nephew,” said Mpakane.
She said members then went to the school to fetch the suspect, who reportedly confessed to causing Naledi’s death.
“The suspect confessed to hitting the deceased (Naledi) with a rock while she was picking peaches from a tree. He also said that after seeing that the victim was unconscious, he decided to drag her into the shack and put her inside the 1000-litre blue container. The deceased sustained an injury to the mouth. The deceased was positively identified by her aunt,” said Mpakane. She said the 16-year-old learner was immediately arrested and charged with the murder of the young girl.
