NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has come out guns blazing condemning the senseless killing of infants where (children) die in the hands of their parents. The words of the General comes after news of a second murdered baby broke, this time at Lydenburg where a one-year-old girl lost her young, precious life in the hands of her mother and her boyfriend. The second incident spiralled from an incident that took place last year in September, at which 30-year-old Keletso Maimela, her 28-year-old boyfriend, Fannie Pholoane allegedly killed a defenceless daughter of Keletso. The suspects were arrested and appeared at the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court on Monday 03 February 2020.
“These are regrettable news indeed, where a young child’s life is cut short in the hands of those who should provide protection, care and love. Instead, the very same people that the children relied upon are the ones who are alleged to have done unspeakable things to them. Perhaps these children were going to grow up and bring solutions to many problems and challenges that we face as the human race, yet their lives were cut short and they died terrible deaths allegedly in the hands of those they wholeheartedly trusted. I hope that the Detectives, Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary will do excellent work in these cases to ensure that justice is served, “said General Zuma.
According to information on the little girl’s horrific death, her mom (Keletso) was residing with her other two girls but then later met Fannie, they decided to move and stay with him at his parents’ place of residence. Keletso took her one-year-old baby girl along with her whilst leaving the other kids with her parents.
Further information indicates that on that fateful day, Fannie and Keletso came up with a plan to kill the baby of Keletso.
Police discovered that during September 2019, the duo orchestrated their evil plan by taking the innocent young girl to her journey of no return where they drove with her on the Lydenburg road and suddenly stopped, forced the defenceless young girl into a bucket, poured water inside whilst the mother was allegedly holding the child’s head. During this disgusting incident, Fannie was allegedly holding the child’s legs. The tender girl then drowned in the water and the merciless pair made sure that she does not survive. The tiny body was apparently put in a bag and thrown in the bushes. The two went back to their place of residence and continue with life as if nothing happened. Neighbours wondered when they could not see the baby girl for days and they (neighbours) even asked of her whereabouts, but the answer has always been that the child was attending crèche in Limpopo Province. None of the two bothered to inform police or anyone about their horrific deed until Keletso, on 01 February 2020, became consumed by guilt to a point where she finally went to the police at Burgersfoort in Limpopo to report the matter.
Fannie and Keletso were immediately arrested, hence their court appearance in the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court on Monday 03 February 2020. The pair remained in custody and they will appear again on Friday, 10 February 2020, at the same court.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Irvin Lotta Mahlangu is expected to appear at the Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 06 February 2020, for a legal representative. Mahlangu was charged with the murder of his two months old toddler who was brutally killed allegedly by him. This painful and senseless act took place on Tuesday, 28 January 2020, at Kwamhlanga at approximately 14:00. Mahlangu was locked up by police ever since the death of the toddler. The suspect has previously appeared at the Kwa-Mhlanga Magistrate’s Court on 30 January 2020 and was remanded in custody hence his next appearance tomorrow.
According to information regarding the gruesome and painful death of the two-month-old toddler, on that afternoon of the sad day, Mahlangu performed some rituals with the baby which led to an argument with the mother of the toddler.
Reports also suggest that Mahlangu was very furious during the argument they had but eventually managed to allegedly strangle as well as stabbing the defenceless child with a bottle to further his barbaric act. The 22-year-old mother became terrified as the assailant also threatened to kill her as well. She, however, broke her silence by screaming for help as well as breaking windows in an effort to draw attention from people and fortunately, neighbours heard her screams and notified police immediately, who responded with medical personnel, however, the child was unfortunately declared dead at the scene.
Police opened a murder case and Mahlangu was immediately arrested as a result.
General Zuma has issued a stern warning to those who are planning to follow suit on the evil steps of killing children, to stop entertaining such thoughts. “Children have full rights to live and their lives preserved by their parents. Anyone, parent(s) or person who mistreats, abuse or kills a child, cannot share a space with faithful citizens but must rot in prison. There are no rituals that involve taking the life of a person. People should desist from killing others under the auspices of performing false rituals or greed riches. There is no such and thus, we will arrest those killers.” General Zuma concludes.
