Eldorado couple faces court for the rape and murder of their four-year-old daughter as NPA plans to oppose bail

A couple appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto, Johannesburg on Tuesday following the rape and death of their four-year-old daughter.

The father was charged with murder, rape, compelled rape, child abuse and assault, whilst the mother of the deceased was charged on a separate docket, with failure to immediately report a sexual offence against a minor child.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said a neighbour heard the child screaming from the couple’s home and, on arrival, found the father allegedly beating the child and captured the incident on a phone.

"Following further investigations, the mother was also arrested. It is alleged that the mother knew about the sexual assault but failed to report to the authorities, as per duty in terms of the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act 32 of 2007," said Mjonondwane.

According to police, the man was arrested on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 after officers responded to reports of screams coming from a backyard shack. Inside the home, police discovered the young girl with severe head injuries, bruises, and a swollen eye.

Outside the court, community members demanded justice for the four-year-old child while also demanding that the government treat them with respect amid service delivery challenges, prevalent social issues, and drug abuse.

The couple has been remanded in custody and will appear again on August 18 for bail application.

Earlier, Mjonondwane said the State will oppose bail against the couple.

"Now that we know that the offences and the charges against the mother and the father are not intertwined, we have to separate the two matters, to ensure the mother appears alone. In the case against the father, the charge sheet was amended to reflect the five counts against him, with three additional charges.

"The mother, on the other hand, is facing a charge of failing to report incidents of sexual offence against a minor. Both matters have been postponed to the 18th of August, and both accused indicated that they want to apply for bail. We will be opposing such applications," she said.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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