Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday called on police to prioritise the murder case of 9 year-old Veronica Mofokeng who was allegedly raped, mutilated and burnt to death in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria last month.
The body for the girl was found in an open field by school boys who were passing by. She had been reported missing a few days before her body was discovered.
Addressing mourners who gathered for the little girl's funeral service in Soshanguve Block x, Deputy President Ramaphosa said he shared the pain of the community.
He said the life of the little girl was cut short in the cruelest way and that her rights had been violated.
“Children are supposed to be nurtured and taken care of. Children are the ones who are supposed to bury us [as parents]. Children are meant to live a happy life.
“As government, we are going to make sure that those who do terrible things to our children are sent to jail,” he said.
He appealed to the community to assist police in their investigations so that the perpetrator is arrested. “The murderer lives in the community, someone knows him.”
The Deputy President further implored parents to always know where their children are.
The community of Soshanguve attented the moving service in large numbers to bid farewell to the little girl whom many described as their darling.
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lusufi said he was saddened by the number of deaths of learners in recent days.
Just two hours earlier, he attended the funeral service of another learner who was stabbed to death inside a classroom by another learner.
“It is painful and difficult to process. This pain is difficult to accept,” he said.
MEC Lusufi offered condolences to the families of the deceased and encouraged them to be strong.
Other speakers included the principal of Nchuncheko Primary School were little Veronica was a learner.
He called on the community to assist the police in apprehending the culprit. – SAnews.gov.za
