A seven‑year‑old girl from Khotha, a rural community near Bultfontein in the Free State, was found dead after being allegedly raped and strangled. The child’s body was discovered hidden under a bed on the same property where she lived, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, NPA spokesperson in the province, said the suspect — a 29‑year‑old man — allegedly encountered the child while visiting a co‑worker on the property on Sunday. He is accused of calling the girl into a shack situated behind an RDP house on the same plot, locking her inside, raping and strangling her, and then concealing her body beneath a bed before leaving the scene.
“It is alleged that he called the girl to a shack situated behind an RDP house on the same property, then locked the child inside where he raped and strangled her. He allegedly hid her body underneath a bed before leaving the scene,”
The discovery came later that day when the child’s siblings were playing inside the shack and saw a hand protruding from beneath the bed. They immediately alerted their parents, who reported the matter to the police. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with rape and murder.
Court process and next steps
The accused appeared at the Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. His application for bail was abandoned and the matter was postponed to 29 August for further investigations, the NPA reported. Further details about the evidence and the police investigation have not been released publicly while detectives continue their inquiries.
Local impact and safety concerns
Crimes against children provoke deep concern in small communities such as Khotha, where residents often rely on close networks of neighbours and family for safety. The alleged circumstances — a visitor on the property and a child taken into a shack behind an RDP house — highlight vulnerabilities in informal and formal housing settings where children may be left unsupervised.
Families and caregivers are likely to seek reassurance from local SAPS commanders and social services about protective measures, reporting procedures and available support. The NPA statement did not detail victim support arrangements; ordinarily, police and the Department of Social Development coordinate to provide counselling and assistance to affected families.
- What is known: Victim was seven years old; crime occurred in Khotha near Bultfontein; suspect is 29 and has been charged with rape and murder.
- Legal status: Accused appeared in Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court; bail application abandoned; matter postponed to 29 August for further investigations.
- Authorities involved: SAPS investigated and arrested the suspect; NPA provided details of charges and court progress.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sunday (unspecified date) | Suspect allegedly called child into a shack, raped and strangled her; body concealed under a bed |
| Later the same day | Siblings found the child; parents alerted police |
| Subsequent days | Suspect arrested and charged with rape and murder |
| Thursday (court date) | Accused appeared at Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court; bail application abandoned; case postponed to 29 August |
What residents can expect and do
In cases of sexual violence and child homicide, police investigations may include scene examinations, forensic analysis, witness statements and interviews. Community members seeking information should direct queries to the local police station in Bultfontein. Anyone with information relevant to the case is urged to contact SAPS through the official station or Crime Stop.
The case will proceed through the magistrate’s court for further investigation and potential trial preparation. The NPA will decide on formal charges and prosecution strategy as evidence is gathered.
This is a developing story. Details published here are based on the NPA statement and initial reporting. Further official information may become available as investigations advance.
