National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi is “furious” at police incompetence in the search for the slain four-year-old grandchild of Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe.
“I have never experienced such levels of incompetence before,” Selebi said, vowing to hold to account the police responsible.
The child’s uncle Frans Matlala added: “I am demanding answers from the police on why they never found her on the day of the murder.”
It took the police a day to find the half-naked body of Makgabo Bernice Matlala under a bed in her own home after she was feared kidnapped in a robbery on Wednesday morning.
Gauteng police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo has denied any failure by the police.
“We didn’t miss anything, we did a systematic search all night and nothing was missed. We searched one side of the house yesterday [Wednesday] and we searched the other today [Thursday]. We just happened to find the body during our second search.”
Makgabo’s family was informed of the discovery late on Thursday afternoon. They had been asked to leave the house while forensic investigations were under way.
It was not clear how Makgabo died or whether she was raped, said Selebi’s spokesperson Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo.
The daughter of Springs magistrate Stephen Matlala, Makgabo was sleeping at the time of the robbery in which her 57-year-old nanny was blindfolded and gang-raped and the three-bedroomed, face-brick house in Impala Street ransacked.
Fearing her kidnapped, police combed the area overnight. Her body was discovered the next morning under the base of a bed –thought not to be hers — by forensic and crime scene management police collecting evidence in the house.
“How do you kill an innocent child? Whoever has done this … will meet her in heaven. I am sure these fools are happy with their work,” said Frans Matlala amid a crowd of neighbours and curious onlookers.
Based on the nanny’s statement, police were looking for three assailants, said Senior Superintendent Martins-Engelbrecht.
Martins-Engelbrecht said police took in a man for questioning on Thursday afternoon, but he was not an attacker. Police had received information that he was involved with the killers. What the alleged connection was had not yet been determined, she said.
The nanny was still in shock. She had been taken for treatment and had received counselling, but was not hospital. She was at a safe place, said Martins-Engelbrecht.
Ngoepe was to have presided over the rape trial of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, but recused himself when his impartiality was questioned over his rulings pertaining to Zuma’s corruption trial, to be heard in Durban later this year.
Senior Superintendent Nthabiseng Mazibuko said preliminary investigations ruled out the possibility of a link between the killing and the Zuma rape trial.
“There is no link at all. The findings of our preliminary investigations haven’t taken us in that direction. There is nothing that indicates a link,” Mazibuko said.
Condolences have poured in for the family since the news of Makgabo’s death.
Expressing condolences to the family on behalf of the police, Naidoo condemned the “ruthless acts of violence” and promised to make sure the culprits were tracked down and brought to justice.
“I am deeply affected by this tragedy and share the grief of the family,” said Gauteng safety and security minister Firoz Cachalia, who intended visiting the family on Thursday night.
The African National Congress trusts the police will do everything possible to establish the circumstances of her death and catch the culprits.
“The people who believe it is okay to kidnap and rape are animals who must not be allowed to be part of our society,” said ANC Youth League spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.
Its thoughts and prayers are with Ngoepe and his family, said the Democratic Alliance, trusting that the police will spare no effort in finding those responsible.
The United Independent Front has called for 24-hour protection for judicial officers and their families.
“The UIF feels that the justice department is not doing enough to protect our judicial officers and their families … witnesses, judges, magistrates and their families must be provided with 24-hour protection to ensure that they dispense justice without fear,” said its leader, Malizole Diko. — Sapa
The police have asked anyone able to assist them with information about the incident to contact the investigator, Inspector Stringo Seko, of the Vaal Rand serious and violent crimes unit, on 082 568 4478 or (016) 986 2206; Captain Andre Oosthuizen on 082-568-4489; or Crime Stop on 08600 10111