LIMPOPO – Neo Bembani’s (13), a Gr 7 learner at Nkomo Primary School, father Douglas was recently elected as as ward councillor of Nkomo B village in Giyani.
According to the principal of the school, Daniel Ngoane, about 15 minutes after school came out, two boys came running back to the school to report that Neo had been hurt.
“Members of staff ran out to see what had happened, but nothing could have prepared us for what we found,” he said.
Eye-witnesses who asked to remain anonymous, said the accused, who is still in hospital, asked Neo for R5 saying her family had come into good money now that her father had been elected as ward councillor. She refused to give him the R5, upon which he insisted.
Neo had been slaughtered “like a chicken” added an emotional Ngoane.
“When I held her, I realised that the life had gone out of her.”
The community of Nkomo took matters into their own hands and beat up the man thought to be responsible for her death.
Neo, who was laid to rest on Saturday, was described as a star pupil who was among the Top 10 learners in her grade. She was also awarded as “Best Reader in Xitsonga” and always passed mathematics by more than 80%.
WO Thomas Makhubele of the Giyani Police Station confirmed that the accused faces charges of murder. He said the accused is still in hospital after the community beat him to a pulp.
