Feelings ran high at the Saselamani Periodical Court, outside Malamulele, when hundreds of angry demonstrators demanded that the three suspects held for the murder of a 12-year-old Nkavele village girl be handed to them for mob justice.

Risimati David Chauke (21), Khazamula Meshack Macebele (21) and Akani Surprise Mashaba (18) allegedly broke into the house, kidnapped, raped and strangled Ponani Mashaba last month. Ponani’s lifeless body was discovered in the bushes between Nkavele and Xikunduville, on Friday, 23 February. She was a Grade-4 learner at the local Hangalakani Primary School.

The three suspects appeared to be nervous when they entered the fully packed court on Monday. Because of the huge crowd, only close family members of the deceased and the local leadership were allowed into the court. Demonstrators sang and danced outside the court while the court proceedings were in progress. Police had to keep order when the demonstrators wanted to gain entry to have a glance of the suspects.

Much to the relief of the angry demonstrators, Magistrate Noel Maluleke remanded the three suspects in custody, to give the state enough time to conduct further investigations. The matter will be heard again on 12 April at the same court.

Shortly after the court proceedings, the murdered girl’s father, Phillip Mashaba (48), told Mirror that he was hopeful that the law would take its course without bias. "I am happy that the suspects were not given bail and this gives me hope that they will face the consequences of their deeds in court. I am also impressed by the support I am getting from the community because it shows that the tragedy has befallen everyone of us. If found guilty, the suspects need to spend the rest of their lives in jail."