The arrest of a close family member in connection with the murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek has reignited anger and grief in the Fleurhof community, where residents have been demanding answers since the child's body was found nearly two months ago.
Police confirmed yesterday, that a 31-year-old woman had been arrested in Fleurhof, following an extensive investigation led by Florida detectives, supported by the Provincial Investigative Unit and Tracking Team.
While police have not named her, they have confirmed that it is a close family member.
She is expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday, July 14, on a charge of murder.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing by his mother on Tuesday, May 12, after he failed to return home from school, where he had been dropped off by his scholar transport.
The following morning, the boy was found half-naked and unconscious on the staircase of their apartment complex, a discovery that rocked the community and left residents reeling.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest, stating that a case of murder was formally opened, and investigations yielded the necessary evidence to charge the woman.
“A 31-year-old close family member of Jayden-Lee Meek was arrested this morning, July 11... A case of murder was opened, and police conducted investigations which led to the arrest of the woman.”
Since Jaden-Lee's death, the case has drawn significant public attention.
Neil Singh, a philanthropist and activist, who had engaged with the family and attended community-led marches has been vocal about the case since its onset.
Singh said he shared updates about Jayden-Lee's disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his body on social media and later joined a community march calling for justice. Following the march, he attended a meeting with the family and Kerr’s Funeral Parlour, with whom he often works during community support efforts.
He also shared WhatsApp messages from a family member who expressed concern over his social media posts and their potential impact. In the messages, the relative questioned the accuracy of the information being shared and expressed distress over the public attention the case was receiving, particularly its effect on the grieving family.
Singh said the interaction with certain family members, particularly the strong reaction to his social media updates, struck him as unusual and left him with lingering concerns. He said the tension and defensiveness displayed in the messages made him feel uneasy about the situation.
ActionSA’s Dereleen James, MP, who has also been vocal on social media, said that this arrest is a crucial step toward justice for Jayden-Lee and the community as a whole.
“ActionSA welcomes the arrest of a suspect in the heartbreaking murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek. While no arrest can undo the pain of his loss, it marks a vital step toward justice for his family and community. For too long, the people of Florida have suffered the consequences of an under-resourced police station and an uncoordinated response to violent crime. ActionSA has consistently raised this issue in Parliament, demanding accountability for the policing failures that have allowed crimes like this to persist.
“We will continue to push for the summoning of relevant officials to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Police to account for these systemic failings and for the committee to visit the community to hear their concerns directly. ActionSA will not rest until justice is done. We call on all members of the public and SAPS to work together to ensure the successful prosecution of this case. Justice for Jayden-Lee is justice for every child in South Africa who deserves to live free from violence and fear. There can be no more excuses, ” said James.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star