Sisters find 7-year-old sibling's body under bed, man charged with rape and murder

A horrifying discovery has left a Free State family in shock after two young girls found their seven-year-old sister deceased in a Khotha shack. While the siblings were playing, they reportedly noticed a hand sticking out from underneath a bed.

The sisters immediately alerted their parents to the scene near Bultfontein. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the young child had been raped and strangled to death before being hidden away.

Details of the Attack

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State, a 29-year-old suspect allegedly targeted the child while visiting a colleague in the vicinity. He reportedly lured the girl into a backroom shack located on the property.

NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane stated that the suspect is believed to have locked the victim inside the structure. After allegedly committing the assault and murder, the man fled the premises before the body was located by the family.

Legal Proceedings Begin

The accused made his first appearance in the Bultfontein Magistrate Court on Thursday. During the brief session, the man chose to abandon his application for bail and remains in custody.

The case has been formally postponed to 29 August 2024 for further investigation. This incident marks another dark chapter for the province, following similar reports of violence against children in Lindley and Soweto recently.

Community members have expressed outrage over the safety of children in the region. Local authorities continue to urge parents to remain vigilant as they process the details of this latest tragedy.