Community rallies for justice in horrific child murder

ANGRY Eldorado community members marched to Protea Magistrate's Court yesterday ahead of the appearance of a man who stands accused of the assault, rape, and murder of his four-year-old daughter.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE [e-mail]

The man, who cannot be named due to strict conditions set out by the magistrate, appeared briefly in court, where his matter was postponed to August 18 for a formal bail application. His wife also appeared separately for her alleged failure to immediately report multiple incidents of child abuse to the authorities.

According to previous reports, neighbours had said they previously reported incidents of abuse to the mother but these were allegedly ignored.

According to police, the man was arrested after officers responded to reports of screams coming from a backyard shack. Inside the home, police discovered the young girl with severe head injuries, bruises, and a swollen eye.

This subsequently resulted in the child's death while she was in hospital on Friday afternoon, just hours after the father made his first court appearance on charges of assault and attempted murder.