#LufunoMavhunga: Girl (15) to remain in custody ‘for her own safety’
The 15-year-old girl accused of the assault of Lufuno Mavhunga, reappeared in the Thohoyandou Children's Court today (Thursday, 22 April).
LIMPOPO – According to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the defence submitted an affidavit and closed its case. “The state called the investigating officer who testified that the child must remain in custody explaining that it is not safe for her to return to the community.”
The state opposed the bail application and the hearing was postponed to 28 and 29 April 2021. The child in conflict of the law is still under custody and will remain at the youth centre.
The young learner was taken into custody on Wednesday, 14 April in connection with the bullying incident. She first appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Children’s Court on Friday.
She faces a schedule two offence and the case will be dealt with in accordance with the Child Justice Act.
20 April
LIMPOPO – The 15-year-old girl accused of the assault of Lufuno Mavhunga, could not go ahead as scheduled today and the case was rolled over to Thursday.
The girl was taken into custody on Wednesday, 14 April, after a video of the incident went viral.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the girl’s case did not proceed in the Thohoyandou Children’s Court.
“The matter will be heard by a neutral chair to ensure a power balance between the interests of the state and the interests of the child. The previous magistrate knows the fact of the preliminary inquiry,” she added.
Malabi-Dzhangi said the case will be rolled over to 22 April in order to have a new presiding officer.
“The docket will be referred to the office of the DPP for investigation. This offence falls under schedule two and the child in conflict of the law is still in the youth centre,” she concluded.
Also read: Limpopo teen commits suicide following bullying incident
Mavhunga was assaulted during an apparent school-bullying incident which took place at Mbilwi Secondary School learner in Sibasa Block A on Monday, 12 April.
In an earlier statement, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapleo explained that the victim later the day locked herself in her room and reportedly overdosed on tablets. “Her mother found her unconscious and took her to Siloam Hospital where she was certified dead on arrival,” he said.
