Community outraged over the brutal death of young Deipkloof mother
It's been alleged that the victim has been arguing with her boyfriend; who is now a suspect, during which she also screamed for help.
A sombre mood continues in Diepkloof as residents mourn the death of Koketso Lekgoathi (23), who was allegedly assaulted to death by her boyfriend on October 7.
According to the information received, Lekgoathi and her alleged suspect (38) had an argument around 22:00 where she was heard by the suspect’s family screaming for help from his backroom.
After the alleged murder, the suspect went to Diepkloof Police Station around 01:00 to report that his girlfriend had ingested poison and was unresponsive. A case was opened but the police changed the inquest docket to murder.
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Upon the arrival of the police and paramedics, Lekgoathi was found dead and naked with visible wounds and bruises, lying in a pool of blood.
The suspect was allegedly arrested but he was released after some time and was later apprehended by residents while attempting to flee the area in a truck.
Lekgoathi’s aunt, Thato Tlale who was the first family member to be called by residents to the crime scene, said that the family is really shattered by her death and they are still in disbelieve by the horrible manner she died.
“When I arrived at the scene, I could not believe that Koketso was gone. I saw the suspect detained by the police but the arrogance on his face shocked me.
Picture: supplied
“I asked the police to let me in to see her and maybe she would wake up, I tried calling her with all her names, but she was unresponsive.
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“She was naked with her legs hanging from the bed with a knobkerrie next to her body and her face was bruised. I cannot get the image out of my head and it will haunt me for the rest of my life,” Tlale said.
Tlale stated that the suspect had been abusive towards Lekgoathi and she had previously opened several cases of assault but later withdrawn them due to fear.
“When we went to identify her body in the mortuary there was blood all over her body bag and her face was bruised with blood in her eyes.
This is why it is very shocking for us as a family given the fact that the suspect said she died from ingesting poison. The postmortem also confirmed that she died due to strangulation and that the suspect tried to bathe her as well.”
Angry residents marched to Diepkloof Police Station on October 10 to seek answers as to why the suspect was released hours after the alleged killing of Lekgoathi, and the tension continued to Orlando Magistrate’s Court when he made his first appearance on October 11.
According to local ANCYL activist, Mangaliso Xaba, who was one of the residents present in court the suspect showed utter arrogance and no signs of remorse as the magistrate read out his other seven pending cases that he is currently attending in Protea Magistrate’s Court.
This includes kidnapping of a minor.
“Today the judiciary system instilled confidence in us as a community because the magistrate alluded that the attitude portrayed by the perpetrator was distasteful and does not show any remorse, but this is the kind of character we were expecting.
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“We were not expecting any less from such a monster who can take a life without thinking twice. What stood out the most is that he was denied bail, and the community was ready to respond if bail was granted,” Xaba said.
“The case has been reminded to October 24 and we are going to still come out in numbers to support the Lekgoathi family, including residents, civil organisations and members of different political structures.
We are all in one voice because this is not the first time an incident like this has happened, we are saying enough is enough.”
Lekgoathi leaves behind her four-year-old daughter.
