By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
NewsunplugNewsunplugNewsunplug
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Journal
Reading: South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, r@p3 and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
NewsunplugNewsunplug
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Journal
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Journal
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Newsunplug > Blog > Metro > South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, r@p3 and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
Metro

South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, r@p3 and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty

Godson
Last updated: August 9, 2023 9:25 am
Godson
Published: August 9, 2023
Share
SHARE

The Gauteng High Court sitting in Benoni, South Africa, was filled with gasps of dismay when the judge on Monday, August 7, declared one Ntokozo Zikhali not guilty of the brutal murder of 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo.

The child had gone missing on 10 October 2022 while playing with a friend in Masoleng Park in Wattville, Benoni, sparking a massive search effort and public outrage.

Residents later discovered parts of her mutilated body in a shallow grave a day after she went missing. The child was raped before she was murdered.

30-year-old Zikhali was charged with kidnapping, murder, violation of corpse and defeating the ends of justice.

The shocking verdict left many in disbelief as the accused walked free despite the gruesome nature of the crime, his lengthy links to sexual crimes against minors and confession to kidnapping and killing the deceased.

The court dismissed the state’s evidence of video footage showing the accused walking with the victim, including the state relying on the confession and pointing out of the scene by the accused.

The acting judge presiding over the case, Ian Cox, dismissed the State’s application to introduce a witness statement after they had already closed their case.

The witness was with the investigating officer during Zikhali’s arrest, and the State sought to use this statement to establish if the accused’s rights were violated during the arrest.

However, Judge Cox deemed the late introduction of the statement as unfair to the accused, ensuring justice for all parties involved.

State Prosecutor Eric Sihlangu argued for the witness, Sergeant Sibuyani, to testify during a trial-within-a-trial to determine if the accused’s rights were upheld during the arrest.

The defence, led by Advocate Anneke Van Wyk, objected to this late introduction, claiming it would not alter the proceedings’ course.

The judge sided with the defence, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial for the accused.

During the trial, the court heard about how Zikhali had confessed to the crime during his arrest to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Bronkhorst at Brakpan SAPS.

However, Zikhali later claimed that the confession was not made freely and voluntarily due to alleged police assault.

Consequently, a trial-within-a-trial was initiated to evaluate the confession’s admissibility.

Judge Cox ruled the confession inadmissible, stating that the State failed to provide sufficient evidence of its voluntary nature.

Following the judge’s ruling, Ntokozo Zikhali was found not guilty of the charges against him.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has accepted a court ruling which acquitted the accused.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said that in circumstances where the State relies on evidence that is inconclusive, and is thus ruled inadmissible, the only appropriate ruling by the court is acquittal.

“The State therefore accepts the court’s ruling, although it is understandable that it leaves the family and the community devastated that they did not get the closure and justice they hoped for,” Mahanjana said.

South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty
South Africa: Man accused of kidnap, rape and murder of 4-year-old girl found not guilty

You Might Also Like

It is high time President Bola Tinubu called Shettima to order – Igboho says as he defends Kemi Badenoch
Police recover prohibited firearms hidden near river in Bauchi
Moment first wife of new speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas walked up to the podium to displace the second wife while he was being sworn-in (video)
The Ekiti monarch that was killed by Fulani herdsmen told us to vote for APC, now herdsmen have not given us rest of mind – Woman decries killing of monarch in Ekiti community
K!ller of 14-year-old British-Nigerian boy, Daniel Anjorin, appears in court

Quick Link

  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Contact Us
  • Blog Index
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Transfer news LIVE as Rangers and Celtic plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings
  • Wizkid regretted insulting me for dropping song amid Endsars protests – Reekado Banks
  • U.S. Secret Service suspends six agents over failures during Trump ass@ssination attempt
  • Messi makes history after scoring two goals for Inter Miami
  • Police arraigns 22 suspects over k!lling of 13 wedding guests

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Categories

  • ES Money
  • U.K News
  • The Escapist
  • Insider
  • Science
  • Technology
  • LifeStyle
  • Marketing

About US

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.
Quick Link
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Contact Us
  • Blog Index
Top Categories
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Contact Us
  • Blog Index

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

Top Categories

  • Entertainment

Categories

  • ES Money
  • U.K News
  • The Escapist
  • Insider
  • Science
  • Technology
  • LifeStyle
  • Marketing

About US

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.
Quick Link
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Contact Us
  • Blog Index
Top Categories
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Contact Us
  • Blog Index

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]
© 2023 Newsunplug | All Rights Reserved.
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?