Tsolobeng, Tlokoeng – A horrific and brutal attack has left a family in shambles and a
community in shock after two balaclava-clad men stormed into a home in the early
hours of Wednesday morning, hacking a 9-year-old girl to death and intimidating her
grandmother.
The victim, a Grade 4 pupil at Mount Fletcher Village School in Tlokoeng, was sleeping
alongside her grandmother when the attackers forced open the door and barged into
the house. According to Mrs. Bongiwe Mcimbi, the family spokesperson and aunt to the
deceased, one of the assailants put a knife across the grandmother's chest, intimidating
her from screaming.
"The grandmother pleaded with the men, telling them that she was not a witch, but they
didn't listen. They said she was practicing witchcraft and to avenge, they would make
her feel severe heartache by killing her granddaughter in front of her," Mrs. Mcimbi said,
her voice trembling with grief.
The attackers allegedly took turns hacking the young girl with swords while she lay
helpless in her sleep, the grandmother watching in horror as her granddaughter was
brutally killed. The men had told the grandmother that by killing her granddaughter, she
would feel immense pain, as they believed the grandmother was the one practicing
witchcraft.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Tlokoeng community, leaving residents
stunned and saddened by the brutal killing of the innocent child. Mr. Cyril Setloboko, a
community member, expressed his shock and anger at the callous incident. "In all my
life, it's the first time I've heard of something so satanic in Tsolobeng. I wish the
perpetrators could be found and handed over to the community to deal with them," he
said.
The family is now pleading for help from the community to assist with funeral
preparations, as they struggle to come to terms with the senseless loss of their young
loved one. "We are a destitute family, and we need all the help we can get," Mrs.
Mcimbi said, holding back tears.
The family is urging anyone with information to come forward and assist the authorities
in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Mrs. Mcimbi is pleading with local authorities to
provide emotional support and trauma support to the grandmother, who is currently not
receiving any. The family is trying to navigate the dark days ahead, grappling with the
trauma and grief of their devastating loss. Police have confirmed the incident and a murder case has been opened.
