UPDATE: Wattville residents demand another investigation into the murder of Bokgabo Poo

A petition signed by more than 500 community members of Wattville has been submitted to the Benoni SAPS.

The petition calls for justice to be served in the murder of four-year-old Bokgabo Poo after Ntokozo Zikhali, the man accused of murdering the child was found not guilty of kidnapping, murder, defeating the ends of justice and violating a corpse.

Led by community leaders of Wattville, hundreds of residents gathered outside the police station to address their grievances to the police.

Community leader Vuyo Mbeki told police officers that they will not rest until they find justice for Bokgabo.

“We want the person responsible for raping and killing our children to be incarcerated because we can’t live in a community that is unsafe for our children. We want to know who killed Bokgabo,” said Mbeki.

The petition stated that:
“As the community of Wattville, we feel that the police have failed us and therefore, we demand the case to be properly reinvestigated so that credible and tangible evidence can be presented in court to secure conviction for perpetrator/s of these heinous crimes.

“We demand that a new investigating officer be appointed who will be able to bring a winnable case to court so that the family, friends and the community of Wattville can find closure. We do not want the case of our baby Bokgabo to become a cold case that will never be resolved.”

Colonel Reginah Rampota of Benoni SAPS accepted the petition. Residents have requested a reply within 14 days.

Before residents took to the Benoni SAPS, they protested outside the Benoni Magistrate’s Court where Zikhali was appearing to be sentenced for the rape of a nine-year-old girl.

Speaking to Bokgabo’s mother, Tsholofelo Poo said they won’t find peace until her daughter’s killer faces the full might of the law.

“The sentence that Zikhali got for the rape of the nine-year-old is not enough. He still needs to speak about who he was working with and where he took my child’s parts.

“We are relieved that we have received communication from the commissioner of police and they are looking into the murder of Bokgabo. We are prepared to fight. This time I won’t even cry, I’ll remain strong so that I make sure that my child gets justice.”

Poo added that the investigation officer disappointed them because of his ‘incompetent investigation’.

“We need a new investigation officer. The officer didn’t investigate the case thoroughly because he didn’t obtain all the statements from witnesses. He didn’t apologise that things didn’t go our way. I’m so angry for trusting him.”

A community member, Hope Ngwana, said they were satisfied with the life sentence handed to Zikhali for the rape.

Also Read: BOKGABO CASE: Father ‘broken’ over not guilty verdict

Also Read: Bokgabo Poo’s alleged killer details how he was assaulted by police

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