KEY POINTS
- The stepfather of Rebotile Moloto named Andrew Mehlape presently faces murder charges stemming from his alleged stabbing incident which led to her death.
- The attack occurred when Rebotile walked to school therefore medical personnel declared her deceased at the incident site.
- The family declares itself in a state of shock because Mehlape does not exhibit any signs of regret during his court appearance.
Rebotile Moloto’s parents are facing great difficulty to acknowledge how their stepfather Andrew Mehlape murdered her during his alleged crime when she was just 14 years old.
According to her uncle David Marokane he and the family continue to question the motive behind her death as only God possesses the answer.
The murder incident leading to stepfather being charged
The police arrested Mehlape for the suspected murder of Rebotile at Ga-Thoka village which is located outside Mankweng in Limpopo. The incident took place when Andrew Mehlape assaulted Rebotile Moloto with a sharp weapon multiple times then abandoned her until death on the street as she walked to school alongside another student.
Police personnel discovered the victim lying in a pool of blood wearing her school clothes when timing her death at the spot.
Domestic dispute and arrest
Rebotile died after their mother had an argument with Mehlape on the evening prior. Police officials arrested Mehlape at Polokwane after conducting a thorough search.
Stepfather charged, court proceedings
Stepfather charged, Mehlape presented himself before Magistrate Arshard Chaya at the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court allowing the court to postpone proceedings to March 24 for his legal aid assessment. Mehlape will stay in detention until the March 24 hearing date.
Family’s grief
Outside the court Marokane revealed the family’s complete destruction while he labored to comprehend the death. After learning about Rebotile’s disappearance the entire family suffered a devastating blow while trying to accept this reality. “They” do not understand the worth of human existence according to him.
In court proceedings Mehlape continued denying sympathy for the victim despite being an adoptive rather than biological father to Rebotile.
During the court proceedings Mehlape refused to show any sign of grief. Marokane observed his reaction because Mehlape simply stared without displaying sadness and kept his hands raised until the end.
School’s reaction
As the chairperson of Klaas Mothapo Secondary School’s school governing body Virginia Malemela expressed worry about the students who became terrified after the tragedy happened. Children have become too afraid to attend school after this incident.
Malemela insists Mehlape should receive a life sentence as punishment for his criminal act.
