Khayelitsha couple faces additional charges in the murder of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa
Odwa Jack and girlfriend Nokuthula Matyeseni at the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court, where they heard that their relative didn't welcome them into their home.
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
An additional charge of kidnapping has been added to the case against the couple accused of raping and murdering seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa.
Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where the new charge was confirmed.
The State also revealed that the pair’s relatives have refused to house them if they are granted bail.
The pair was arrested on July 23, a day after Lolitha left her Kuyasa home with Matyeseni’s daughter.
She had told her mother she was going to play at the accused’s nearby house. She was found dead 1.5 kilometres away from her home, and she had a screwdriver lodged in her head.
After the home Jack and Matyeseni shared was set alight by community members, the State told the court that they were a flight risk and that bail would be opposed.
The accused initially provided an alternative address, but the State said it was unsuitable.
“The State can confirm that we are in possession of the deposition of the owner of the address given to us,” the prosecutor told the court.
“The owner confirmed to the State that they unfortunately do not want both Accused 1 (Jack) and Accused 2 (Matyeseni) at their place of residence. The State also objects to this address, as one of the crucial State witnesses, who is a minor, is staying at the same address.”
Seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa was murdered and raped allegedly by her neighbours.
Image: Supplied
The accused then provided their lawyer with another address about 40 kilometres from Khayelitsha.
The matter was postponed to August 20 for the bail application and verification of the new address. They will remain in custody.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the additional charge.
“They now face kidnapping, rape, and murder. The evidence we have at our disposal points to the two of them. We have overwhelming evidence and that is the reason we believe they have a case to answer.”
Lolitha’s father, Zukisani, and his brother, Lucky Sikade, attended the proceedings and expressed relief that no relatives would take the accused in.
The child’s uncle said the family remained in deep grief but was drawing strength from community support.
“We are still grieving… seeing that the community and organisations are standing with us, we are getting the courage to move on. This is something unusual; we never expected it. My brother doesn’t sleep at night… this is even worse because Lolitha was his only child,” he said.
Sikade added that facing the accused in court was a painful experience.
“I really wish I could sit them down and have a man-to-man talk with Jack and find out the real cause of this… why did my niece deserve such a horrible death?”
He urged men to respect women and children. “Don’t overpower women and children. God has not given us the authority to act above other people. We need to understand that we are equal to everyone and not dominant.”
Tensions were visible in court when Nosipho Daniels, who said she represented an organisation, told lawyers from anti-gender-based violence group, Ilitha Labantu, to leave the courtroom, saying she had been involved in the case since the child’s murder.
The child’s uncle appealed to organisations to work together in unity.
“They need to find common ground… we are not saying one outweighs the other, but they need to work together and not fight. This is further hurting us as a family, and it seems as if they are somehow gaining something from this case,” he said.