Owami Visagie, a 17-year-old secondary school student, was allegedly raped and murdered by her cousin in Gauteng, South Africa.
The Grade 11 student was last seen attending additional courses on Sunday, March 24, 2024, and was later discovered dead at her cousin’s home in Refilwe, Cullinan, east of Pretoria.
Matome Chiloane, Gauteng’s MEC of Education, acknowledged the tragedy in a statement on Wednesday, March 27, saying he was devastated to hear about the pupil.
According to MEC spokesperson Steve Mabona, the victim attended Chipa-Tabane Secondary School in Refilwe.
According to the information they have, Visagie took extra classes throughout the weekend, including on Sunday.
Visagie left her residence on Sunday morning, and when she hadn’t returned by 6 p.m., her mother filed a missing person report.
Mabona said it was determined that the victim was last seen with her relative. He claims that on Monday morning, they proceeded to the cousin’s residence, where Owami’s body was located.
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The 30-year-old suspect turned himself in on Monday night and appeared in Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Visagie’s uncle, Peter Mthethwa, voiced surprise and rejection of the suspect, stating that he cannot accept him as family or allow him into their home.
“I cannot accept him as my family. I can’t let him in my house. I won’t. If the police release him I won’t go next to him. I don’t want to see him again,” he said. “It’s the first time we see this. It’s something we never expected.
“They were so close that even the girl’s mother used to leave him with her when she went anywhere and tell them to wash the dishes when done eating,”
“All he said was, ‘I didn’t do it. He ran away because he was afraid that when the community caught him they were going to kill him, that’s what he said.”
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Mavela Masondo, a police spokesperson, confirmed on Thursday that the matter is being handled at the Cullinan police station. He stated that the suspect turned himself in to the police and appeared in court on Wednesday.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
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