Community leaders in Site C in Khayelitsha have welcomed the arrest of a suspect linked to Thimna Kuze’s death on Thursday 13 April.
READ | Questions around teen’s mysterious death while at a sleepover with friends
The 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped and killed while at a sleepover at a friend’s home on Saturday 25 March.
Thimna was found dead in a shack with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area.
Provincial police spokesperson WO Joseph Swartbooi said Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit arrested and detained a 32-year-old man on Thursday 13 April on charges of sexual assault and under the Child Care Act.
“Once charged the suspect is expected to make a court appearance in the Khayelitsha Magistrate court on the mentioned charges,” said Swartbooi.
Ward 87 councillor Khayalethu Kama said the suspect’s arrest is a victory not only for the family but for the community at large.
“The arrest of the suspect is long overdue. We are very pleased with the police’s job of ensuring that the rapist and a killer are behind bars. This is an example to other criminals,” said Kama adding that they don’t have a place for criminals in Site C.
He urged the community to work with the police to ensure the area is safe.
Kama said they will mobilise all the community stakeholders to have a special event to pray for the bad evils that are happening in the area.
Khayelitsha Community Policing Forum chair Monde Bambelo said they are relieved now that the suspect is apprehended.
“I met with the deceased family after I heard the news that the suspect was apprehended yesterday (Thursday 13 April). The deceased mother said she will be able to sleep peacefully. She said she was struggling to sleep ever since her daughter died. We are also supporting the family with all costs,” said Bambelo.
He stated that they want justice to prevail for Thimna.
“Our concern was for the community to end up taking the law into their hands once they see the perpetrator. And we thank the community for letting the law enforcement agencies perform their duties without interfering.”