Police in Letlhabile apprehended a 51-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping and murder of his ex-girlfriend’s seven-year-old daughter on Thursday, 24 June 2021.
The suspect’s apprehension came after the seven-year-old girl’s half-naked body was found with visible head injuries in the bushes at Letlhabile on Thursday, 24 June 2021.
According to information at our disposal, Keitumetse Tumelo was last seen alighting from a taxi on Tuesday, 22 June 2021. However, she did not arrive home and her mother, with the assistance of neighbours, searched everywhere, but the search did not yield results. Consequently, the young girl’s mother reported the matter to the police who registered a missing person enquiry on Tuesday night.
Thorough police investigations led to the questioning and subsequent arrest of Keitumetse’s mother’s ex-boyfriend after being linked to the crime.
As part of the investigation, a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the young girl’s death. An additional rape charge might be added to the charges after post-mortem results. Investigation into the matter continues.
Meanwhile, the suspect is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s’ Court on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, due to a Covid-19 case that was reported at court, he could not appear on Friday, 25 June 2021.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned the incident and conveyed condolences to the family. He instructed Letlhabile Detectives to ensure that the suspect’s bail application is opposed.
