A 17-year-old teenager is expected to appear before the Ventersdorp Children’s Court as prescribed by the Child Justice Act (Act 75 of 2008) on Monday, 8 March 2021, for the alleged murder of 27-year-old Mapula (Meiki) Khune. This comes after the 17-year-old boy was charged on Friday afternoon, 5 March 2021, in Ventersdorp, following the alleged murder of Khune.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 4 March 2021, at about 05:00, neighbours saw smoke coming from a house in Extension 2, Tshing, Ventersdorp. Emergency Services were called, who after forcing entry into a back room, discovered the severely burnt body Khune on top of her bed.
Only the back room was damaged during the fire. Police initially investigated an inquest, but after obtaining more information, the inquest was changed to murder.
Since Friday, additional cases of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) have been reported as community street patrollers and family members have allegedly been assaulting alleged perpetrators for the murder of Khune.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded police for their speedy response that ensured the apprehension of the perpetrator within one day after committing the alleged murder. He said the police will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable and condemned the incidents of violence reported. Further he cautioned members of the community to not take the law into their own hands, but cooperate with the police in order to ensure that justice is served as prescribed by law.
