Mamelodi police officers suspended in Katlego Joja case

Stephen Selaluke

Three Mamelodi West police officers, who were on duty when Katlego Joja’s family reported her missing, were suspended on Monday, Pretoria East Rekord reports.

Another two senior officers at the station are expected to be redeployed to other police stations.

READ MORE: #NotInMyNameSA demands justice for Katlego Joja

Gauteng community safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane said the suspensions were a sign of how seriously authorities were treating the matter.

Katlego was a 10-year-old autistic girl who went missing from her family home in Mamelodi West on 3 May.

Her body was discovered floating in a nearby river a few days later.

Her family complained they were turned away several times from the police station when they tried to report her missing, because they were told to wait 24 hours.

Nkosi-Malobane made the announcement during a public engagement with Mamelodi residents before visiting the river where Katlego’s body was found.

She was accompanied by community safety department head Yoliswa Makhasi and local leadership.

Issues discussed during the visit included incidents of murder, sexual assault, alcohol and substance abuse in the community.

The MEC briefed community members on the latest developments regarding the girl’s disappearance.

“As far as Katlego’s murder case is concerned, we are in the preliminary stages of the investigation.”

Gauteng MEC for community safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, accompanied by the head of department Yoliswa Makhasi and local leadership during the wreath-laying ceremony in Mamelodi. Photo: Supplied

“We are disappointed in the manner in which police handled Katlego Joja’s case.

“This has prompted us to institute disciplinary actions against those individuals who were found not providing the necessary service as required.”

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