Gauteng portfolio committee on safety to attend bail hearing for parents of slain girl
VIOLENT CRIME
Yesterday, the community of Eldorado Park held a memorial service for the four-year-old slain victim, whose parents previously appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court. The accused are expected in court again today.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is set to join the community of Eldorado Park and various civil society organisations at the Protea Magistrate's Court on Monday, 18 August.
This gathering arises from the formal bail application for two parents charged with the heinous murder, rape, and abuse of their four-year-old child, who lived in Eldorado Park.
The tragic incident that has led to these charges has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, with many expressing disbelief and outrage that such violence could occur, allegedly within a family setting.
The circumstances surrounding the child's death have sparked a deeper conversation about child protection, domestic violence, and the responsibilities of parents.
''The Committee has consistently emphasised the need for the State to oppose bail for the accused and has called for harsh sentences to be imposed should the accused be found guilty. The Committee believes that crimes of this nature cannot be tolerated and that justice must be served for the victim and the Eldorado Park community,'' the Committee stated.
On 6 August, police responded to a complaint from the father, who was physically abusing his child in Eldorado Park. On arrival at the scene, they were pointed to a backyard shack that was closed.
Upon entering, police found a man with a little boy and a little girl. They noticed that the girl who was sleeping in the bed had head injuries, bruises and a swollen eye. The man who introduced himself as the father of the children could not give a clear explanation about what happened to the girl.
The man cannot be named due to strict conditions set by the magistrate. His wife also appeared separately for allegedly failing to report multiple incidents of child abuse to the authorities promptly.
The father was originally charged with attempted murder; however, the docket was amended to reflect a charge of murder after the girl succumbed to her injuries.