A Dobsonville, Soweto, family is devastated following the brutal murder and alleged rape of their 14-year-old cousin and niece. 

Siphiwe Sibeko, a Grade 9 Aurora Girls pupil was reported missing by family members in the early hours of Saturday 4 April. Her body was found on Monday 6 April in Snake Park near Dobsonville.

Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said, “Intelligence-driven information led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man who is suspected to be one of the killers of a 14-year-old girl from Soweto. The teen was reported missing and later found killed in Snake Park, Dobsonville on 6 April.”

Siphiwe, described by her aunt Bongekile Phakathi as sweet, respectful and bright, went missing after she failed to return from a nearby shop where she had gone to buy eggs. 

Phakathi said after she returned from reporting at the police station with her daughters in the early hours of Saturday morning, her daughters told her they would not be able to sleep knowing their cousin was somewhere out there, probably unsafe. 

“They suggested we all post the news of her missing on our social media platforms. A short while later one of my daughters said someone had alerted her to an announcement in Jozi News of a woman who was found dead.”  

In a media statement issued by the police ministry on Sunday 5 April, Police Minister Bheki Cele acknowledged a spike in gender-based violence and said this was concerning. 

Gender-based violence activist Vanessa Govender said South Africa was experiencing stress and trauma on an unprecedented level. 

“ [There is] financial uncertainty, and add to the mix an already fractured and fragile environment for women and children living with their abusers, and it’s a sure recipe for a spike in domestic violence,” said Govender.

“I think we can expect very many of the cases unreported. Under lockdown, there is no escape for victims. Will they remain at the home with the abuser after reporting them? That will probably be the case, so reporting the perpetrator isn’t even an option.” DM