Latest news with #IkusasalethuSecondarySchool
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Suspect in Likhona Fose murder was previously convicted for attempted murder
The Roodepoort magistrate's court heard on Wednesday that the suspect in the case of murdered teenager Likhona Fose was previously convicted for attempted murder and armed robbery. The smiling Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi, 39, appeared in court on a charge of premeditated murder. His previous conviction was disclosed by his Legal Aid lawyer Asanda Qwabe, who said the case was from 2007. Mnisi was taken in for questioning on Monday before being arrested. Despite this week's cold spell, his lawyer said he had not been allocated a bed nor a blanket when he was taken to the Krugersdorp prison. His case was remanded to June 18 for a bail application and further investigations. Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state needed time to gather evidence. 'He is charged with premeditated murder, which falls under the offences within the ambit of schedule six. As the NPA we will oppose his release on bail,' she said. The state did not yet have adequate information about Mnisi. 'Investigations are ongoing. As the NPA we are not in a position to divulge at this stage whether he had previous or pending cases, and neither can we confirm at this stage that he was released on parole,' she added. Fose, a grade 8 pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Joburg, was found deceased on June 1.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
Likhona Fose killer previously convicted for attempted murder
The matter has been postponed for sevens days to 18 June for a formal bail application. The 39-year-old man charged with the brutal murder and mutilation of 14-year-old Likhona Fose appeared briefly in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, where his bail application was postponed amid strong opposition from the state. Mduduzi Mnisi faces charges in connection with the death of the Grade 8 pupil from Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Johannesburg, whose mutilated body was discovered in an empty field on 1 June 2025. The teenager's family believes her murder was motivated by homophobia, as she identified as lesbian. WATCH: Likhona Fose murder case court proceedings Suspect in Likhona Fose's death has previous convictions During the brief court appearance, Mnisi's legal representative revealed that his client has previous convictions for attempted murder and robbery. The defence indicated that Mnisi intends to apply for bail and complained that he was not provided with a bed and a blanket when taken to the Krugersdorp Correctional Centre. The magistrate classified the case as a Schedule six offence under the Criminal Procedure Act, which covers serious crimes including murder and human trafficking. The matter has been postponed for seven days to 18 June for a formal bail application. State advocate Zanele Chauke confirmed that the prosecution will oppose bail. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for the Gauteng division, Phindi Mjonondwana confirmed the postponement of the proceedings. 'It's to allow the state to conclude its investigation in respect of the bail application that the accused wants to bring before court. So it will include the profiling of the accused, checking whether or not he has any previous convictions, whether or not he has any pending cases against him,' said Mjonondwana, explaining the state's approach to the SABC. ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose Investigation and arrest The arrest came after an intensive investigation by the police's Occult Unit. 'The police's Occult Unit has been working hard to find the perpetrators following the gruesome murder of 14-year-old Fose. One person was taken in for questioning on Monday, 9 June 2025. 'He was then linked to the murder and charged accordingly,' said Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo. ALSO READ: Suspect arrested in Likhona Fose murder Security measures and community response High police visibility surrounded the court proceedings, with authorities anticipating significant public interest in the case. Mjonondwana explained the security arrangements: 'Those are arrangements by the South African Police Service (Saps). Obviously, working closely with the court manager. 'But basically, it's just to ensure and promote the safety and security of people who will be attending this court case. They've obviously anticipated the large number of people attending.' Community cooperation critical Mjonondwana stressed the importance of community involvement in addressing such crimes. 'This battle needs us to work in unison with our communities. We need every hand on deck because this is a battle that we can only win if we work as a collective together with society, government departments working closely with society, because these crimes happen within our communities.' She expressed gratitude for community cooperation in this specific case: 'We really need to also extend our gratitude to those members of society who remain vigilant and who come forward, as it has in this case, where information was provided by a witness who is within the community.' The case will return to court on 18 June, where the state will present its opposition to bail while the defence seeks the suspect's release pending trial. READ NEXT: Family believes 14-year-old Likhona Fose was killed in suspected homophobic attack
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little child
Omphile Sebiloane, a Grade 2C pupil from Shalimar Ridge Primary School was allegedly kidnapped from her home. As the country marked Child Protection Month in May, another child has gone missing in a scourge that is plaguing South Africa. A family in Gauteng is pleading for the safe return of their 8-year-old daughter. Missing Omphile Sebiloane, a Grade 2C pupil from Shalimar Ridge Primary School, was allegedly kidnapped from her home in Ratanda, Heidelberg, this week. According to the family, Omphile was last seen wearing a pink tracksuit, a maroon top and a black jacket with pyjamas underneath. If you have ANY information on her whereabouts, please contact the nearest police station immediately or call Evelyn Ntoka 060 819 7345 And Anna Sebiloane 073 852 5188 ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose Murder Omphile's alleged kidnapping comes after the brutal murder of teenager Lukhona Fose. The 14-year-old Fose, a Grade 8 pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, was found dead with her body mutilated in an empty field on Sunday, 1 June 2025. Fose was last seen after leaving home with friends. A passerby discovered Fose's mutilated body under a shrub in Durban Deep and immediately notified police. The grim discovery came after an intense search by family members, community members, and law enforcement officials following her disappearance on Sunday afternoon. Investigation Deputy Police Minister Dr Polly Boshielo this week says a specialised team has been assigned to lead investigations into the murder of Fose. The minister said the police's occult unit has been roped in to investigate the matter. 'There are two possibilities: It could be that Lukhona was targeted for her sexuality, making it a hate crime, or her body parts were mutilated for muthi purposes. 'Our investigations are ongoing, and maximum resources have been roped in to find those who are behind the killing of this young woman.' Boshielo raised concerns about the attacks and murders of women and children, saying that 'it cannot be business as usual'. Mother and Sangoma Meanwhile, a mother who allegedly sold her two-year-old son to a sangoma for R75,000 will remain behind bars. Keneilwe Shalaba appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court on Monday, alongside Sebokoana Khoanyana, the man who allegedly bought her child. The boy's body was discovered in a shallow grave last week. Shalaba reported that her child had been kidnapped in November last year. She was arrested three days later after confessing to selling her son to a sangoma, claiming she was not happy with the child's gender. NOW READ: WATCH: How Olorato Mongale murder suspect 'confessed' [VIDEO]
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Mourners gather to pay tribute to murdered child, Likhona Fose
Scores of community members of Durban Deep, Roodepoort and anti-GBV organisations came out in their numbers to support the grieving family of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, who was mutilated and killed in the area. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers City of Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero has called on the police to find the people responsible for murdering Likhona Fose, 14. Fose, a Grade 8 pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, was found dead with her body mutilated in an empty field on Sunday, 1 June 2025, sparking reports of possible muthi and hate crime-related murder. On Thursday, Morero joined scores of mourners, including family, friends, learners from various schools and members of the Johannesburg City Council and MEC for education, Matome Chiloane and other officials who mourned the tragic manner in which the child died. The memorial service held at the Nkone Maruping Primary School in Braamfischerville attracted throngs of sympathisers who decried the scourge of GBVF and other violent crimes against women and children. The discovery of Fose's mutilated body coincided with Child Protection Week which started on May 29 and ended on Thursday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Speaking to the mourners gathered at the Nkone Maruping Primary School, also in Braamfischerville, Morero said those responsible for Fose's death and who deal with body parts of young people will never be rich. "Body parts will not make you rich. We want to tell our people that to get rich they must wake up in the morning and work hard. It is painful to lose a child like this. As the city, we are here to comfort the family. Your child was killed by criminals, and I hope the police will do everything in their power to find the perpetrator so that justice is done," he said. On Wednesday, former Chief of the JMPD, David Tembe, who visited the family indicated that the JMPD and other law enforcement agencies would prioritise police visibility in the area. "This is no longer business as usual. The brutal murder of Likhona Fose has shaken the soul of our city. As the Public Safety leadership, we are declaring war on crime as we will be unleashing every tactical unit on the killers. "We are coming for those who think our children are targets. Johannesburg will not be a playground for criminals. We owe Likhona justice, we owe our people safety and we will deliver, no compromise, no retreat," he stated.
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
Lukhona Fose's family says community last saw her with friends on day she vanished
JOHANNESBURG - The family of a slain teenage girl from Roodepoort, Johannesburg, Lukhona Fose, says community members last saw her walking with a group of friends the day she vanished. Her family reported her missing to the police when she didn't return home on that day. Lukhona's body was later discovered in a veld a day later, brutally mutilated. Her uncle, Mthobeli Fose, says she was found naked from the waist down, with cuts on both her lower and upper body. ALSO READ: Police probing murder case after missing teen girl's body found in Roodepoort veld He says two boys have approached the family, saying they can identify the group of friends she was last seen with. "Police have gone out to search for her group of friends she was last seen with, with the help of the two boys. We are still waiting to hear what happened. They have not gotten back to us yet. We want to know from her friends what really happened and when they separated from each other." Meanwhile, the Gauteng Education Department is providing counselling and trauma support to learners and teachers at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Johannesburg. Fourteen-year-old Fose, a Grade 8 learner from the school, was reported missing over the weekend. Spokesperson Steve Mabona says the incident is devastating, especially during Child Protection Week. "The Department stands with the nation in the condemnation of this barbaric incident. The MEC has indicated that the young girl learner who had a bright future in her life is now finished because of brutal activity that occurred in the hands of people that we don't know."
