A couple has been accused of raping and murdering a seven-year-old girl who was found with a screwdriver lodged in her head after she came to play with their daughter.
The incident took place in Kuyasa, Khayelitsha, in South Africa, where the victim Lolitha Kowa was last seen alive on 22nd July.
Her body was discovered the following morning, just a mile from her home.
Lolitha Kowa poses in undated photo. She was murdered and raped allegedly by her neighbours in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
According to investigators, Lolitha had told her family she was going to play with a neighbour’s child before she disappeared.
When relatives later knocked on the door of the accused couple, Nokuthula Matyesini and her taxi driver boyfriend Odwa Jack, no one answered.
The following morning her body was found with a sock was stuffed in her mouth and a screwdriver lodged in her head.
She also had wounds on her forehead and arms, and a post-mortem revealed defensive injuries under her fingernails along with DNA traces from her attackers.
Sniffer dogs helped locate her clothes and traces of blood in Jack’s vehicle, which was later seized by police. A mop was also found inside the couple’s home, apparently used to clean the blood from the crime scene.
Both suspects were arrested hours after the discovery and made their first court appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on 25th July.
They face charges of rape and murder.
The friend Lolitha was meant to visit, believed to be the daughter of one of the accused, is currently in the care of social workers.
Outside the court, hundreds of protesters gathered demanding justice.
Members of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta), where Jack worked as a driver, also attended.
The organisation has distanced itself from him and donated ZAR 15,000 (GBP 625) towards the child’s funeral costs, along with providing a taxi to transport the family to the Eastern Cape, where the funeral was held on Saturday, 2nd August.
Lolitha’s aunt, Ntombifuthi Kowa, thanked the public for their support but said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the horrific details of the child’s final moments.
A memorial service was held at Ludwe Ngamlana Primary School where Lolitha was a pupil, attended by teachers, classmates, and community members.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for 8th August.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)