As Lolitha Kowa’s family prepares to bury the seven-year-old, the couple accused of her rape and murder are expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning.

Lolitha went missing on July 22, her body was discovered the next day, just 1.5 kilometres from her home in Kuyasa.

Odwa Jack and his girlfriend Nokuthula Matyeseni were arrested hours after the discovery and made their first court appearance last Friday. They face charges of rape and murder.

During their appearance, the State revealed harrowing details: a sock had been stuffed down the child’s throat, and her fingernails showed signs of a struggle, with DNA evidence collected from under them.

Lolitha’s funeral is scheduled to take place this weekend in the Eastern Cape.

The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) has stepped in to support the grieving family. On Thursday, Codeta donated R15,000 towards the funeral and provided a taxi to transport the family to the Eastern Cape.

Jack was a Codeta driver at the time of the crime.

Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge confirmed Jack’s affiliation but distanced the association from the crime.

“We want the family to know we do not support what he did. We will also attend court and stand with those calling for the magistrate to deny bail. We are aware that he previously served a five-year sentence for car theft,” Enge said.

Lolitha’s aunt, Ntombifuthi Kowa, expressed gratitude for the support: “The association came and supported us. We are very happy about their assistance. We’ve had many organisations come to sympathise with us. We are still deeply hurt about what happened to Lolitha. We are trying to heal.”

A memorial service was held earlier this week at Ludwe Ngamlana Primary School, where Lolitha was a learner. Teachers, classmates, and members of the community gathered to honour her memory and call for justice.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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