Tshegofatso Matibako, a 15-year-old girl has allegedly been murdered by her 46-year-old boyfriend in South Africa.
According to the sad news item, the young girl was found dead in Lomannyaneng, outside Mahikeng.
The North West police spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, said the suspect is currently on the run.
Tshegofatso Matibako’s badly decomposing body was found last week in the rented house where the 46-year-old boyfriend was living — she was actually living with him.
The man’s identity isn’t known but his neighbors claim he is called ‘Mosotho’, a Lesotho national.
The decomposing body of the girl was discovered by neighbors when they noticed that flies were hovering around the window of the 2-bedroom house in Lomanyaneng. They immediately notified the police after discovering the body. Both hands of the girl were tied with a sponge found inside her mouth.
“Police in Lomanyaneng near Mahikeng are investigating an inquest docket following an incident wherein the body of a 15-year-old girl was found in a two roomed house which she was allegedly renting with her boyfriend,” Captain Tselenyane stated.
“It is alleged that the police were called to a crime scene at about 10:00 on Thursday, 23 December 2021, after the neighbours noticed flies on the windows of the rented house
“Furthermore, after breaking the padlock and gained access into the house, the deceased’s body, which was in a bad state of decomposition, was found lying naked on the mattress in one of the rooms. The deceased was identified by his brother as Tshegofatso Agnes Matibako.
“Tshegofatso’s boyfriend, who is the last person to be seen with her, is reportedly a Lesotho National and also a person of interest in this matter. His whereabouts and full identity are unknown at this stage.
“Investigation into the matter continues and police request anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of this man, to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Warrant Officer Molatlhegi Lechoenyo,” he added.
Burial
Due to how her body was already decomposing, she was fast buried in Lomanyeneng on Tuesday.
Mother’s reaction
The mother of the teen has said she tried to warn her daughter against the relationship with the suspect.
Joyce Matibako said she asked her daughter on several occasions if the man she got to know as Tiisetso Pitso had been abusing her, but the grieving mother said the teen denied it.
“When I asked she would say, ‘mama why would I not tell you if someone hits me?’ Tshego said ‘this person does not hit me’.”
Matibako said she still tried to stop Tshegofatso from seeing the man.
“She would not listen to me even when I reprimanded her, she would go back to him in the evening.”
