Pretoria girl (17) raped, murdered: Police question 6 suspects

In the wake of allegations that police in Rietgat, Soshanguve initially failed to act after the family of missing girl asked them to help search for her, Tshwane police have established a task team and questioned six people. The Gauteng police commissioner also warned that steps will be taken against officers found guilty of not doing their job.

Palesa Malatji, a Grade 12 learner at Ntsako Secondary School in Soshanguve, did not make it home from extra classes on Thursday afternoon, which led to a relentless search for her.

Uncle and family spokesperson Thabiso Malatji told Pretoria Rekord his niece will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Soshanguve Crossing Cemetery.

The block HH Soshanguve family has been in mourning since Friday, when Malatji’s body was discovered sexually violated next to Echibini Secondary School, after her grandmother had begged police to search the bushes.

Neighbours had reported hearing screams from the area the previous night.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says: “A team of detectives is working around the clock and following all leads in order to crack the case. So far, [police have] brought in six persons of interest for interviews.”

Muridili says she is concerned over reports that police failed to assist the family.

“The station commander of Rietgat SAPS has started with the necessary procedures to institute an internal disciplinary process for the members that allegedly failed to provide a service to the family of Palesa. Omitting to perform services needed by the community is seen as a serious offence as it brings the service into disrepute,” says Muridili.

She says a preliminary investigation into the allegation by the station commander established that the deceased’s mother and uncle came to the Phuthanong police contact point, which is a satellite for SAPS Rietgat, around 20:00.

Family requests police help to find their missing daughter

According to Muridili, the family requested that the police at the community service centre (CSC) accompany them in their search for their missing daughter, but to no avail.

“It is alleged that the police officers on duty told the family that they were not able to assist. This is contrary to the process that the police should follow when a missing person is reported, especially a minor.”

She says the family then left the police station but returned less than an hour later. At that time, the police had registered a missing person’s complaint and officers accompanied the family to search for Malatji.

“Unfortunately, the search ended with the discovery of Palesa’s lifeless body in the bushes near a primary school.”

Muridili says since the discovery, forensic services, biology K9, detectives, and missing persons investigators have combed the crime scene for exhibits and biological samples. Work is ongoing to follow all leads in order to crack the case.

“The provincial commander of crime investigation services thereafter convened a team of detectives that have compiled an investigation plan.”

Laxity of police condemned

Gauteng Police Commissioner General Elias Mawela condemned the laxity of the members that were present at the Phuthanong CSC when the family initially came to report the complaint.

“We do not have room for any [complacency] when it comes to providing services to our vulnerable groups. Children have a right to be and feel safe. We will deal decisively with those that are found guilty for failing to do their job,” says Mawela.

The family spokesperson told the newspaper that family members were in great agony over their daughter’s death and felt failed by the local police in Rietgat.

“It’s not easy to lose a child, more especially when they are a fraction away from ending their secondary schooling and the big opportunities that await them,” says Malatji.

The incident took place a few kilometres from the house, school, and local police station.

He says crime was rife in the township, and children were not safe.

“Police have failed me in Soshanguve, and they have become increasingly incompetent.”

Family told police have no vehicle available

The family’s version of how things transpired at the police station, differs from that of the SAPS spokesperson.

Malatji says when the family went to the police station to ask for help in finding his niece, they were told that the police had no vehicle available. He says he went back to the police station the next morning at 08:00 to ask the police to join the search again, but to no avail.

“I returned later with Palesa’s grandmother, who blocked a SAPS vehicle at the gate to demand it partake in the search.”

Malatji says the grandmother insisted police search the bushes from where screams had been heard the night before, and that was where the lifeless body was found.

He is unsure if justice and closure will be brought to the family.

“Our police system cannot be relied on, especially after I was failed on Thursday in seeking Palesa.”