A Pakistani spaza shop owner has been arrested as the second suspect in the brutal murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, whose body was found mutilated in Durban Deep, Roodepoort.

IOL reported on Wednesday that the case of murder against the first suspect, 39-year-old Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi, who is also accused of killing Likhona Fose, was postponed to June 18 for a formal bail application.

Mnisi appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on charges of murder with the State indicating that it plans to oppose bail to Mnisi, who has a previous attempted murder conviction against him.

In the latest development, City of Johannesburg’s member of mayoral committee (MMC) for public safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the community played a pivotal role in the arrest of the Pakistani man.

“We were actually tipped off, and through the interrogation of Mduduzi and through the community, we managed to establish the link between Mduduzi and the Pakistani man,” he said.

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Tshwaku however, said he was not sure when the spaza shop owner will be appearing before court. He added that government and law enforcement authorities would fight to ensure that Mnisi and the Pakistani man, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, are not released on bail.

On Wednesday, IOL reported that scores of concerned residents of Durban Deep indicated that they feel let down by the country’s justice system, as Mnisi was out of prison, on parole, when he allegedly killed Likhona.

However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) could not ascertain this claim, with its spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, indicating that they will verify the claim as part of their seven-day postponement request.

Last week, IOL reported that City of Joburg Speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu and executive strategic advisor to the MMC of public safety, David Tembe, visited the family of Likhona.

Reports indicate that the family suspects hate crime to be the motive in the murder of the Grade 8 pupil, who identified as a lesbian.

Tembe, who was greeted to protesting community members and anti-gender-based violence activists, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, stating: “Her tragic and brutal killing, suspected to be linked to occult practices, has shaken the community. The city stands with the family during this time of immense grief, reaffirming its commitment to fighting heinous crimes and protecting the most vulnerable.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News 

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