Katlehong girl, 8, found dead in outside room was raped: Lesufi

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has expressed dismay at the death of an eight-year-old girl whose body was found behind a neighbour's outside room hours after she was reported missing at the weekend.

The girl was a grade 2 pupil at Sekgutlong Primary School in Katlehong, said Lesufi. He said she had allegedly been raped before being killed.

"It is with great sorrow to hear about the disheartening passing of one of our youngest learners at Sekgutlong Primary School. We rebuke the horrifying acts of the perpetrators involved in the death of this pupil, and we wish for the uncompromised safety of all our pupils,” Lesufi.

He said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder.

TimesLIVE has reached out to the police to confirm the arrest.

The child went missing from her home on Sunday, according to police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters.

“On the morning of October 12, members from Katlehong North police were alerted about the body of a child found in Katlehong. On arrival at the scene, police found the little girl's body behind an outside room. Paramedics certified the child dead on the scene.

“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the child. The post-mortem will determine the exact course of her death,” Peters said.

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