The duo accused of killing seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa will return to court on Friday, 1 August.
Odwa Jack (33) and
Nokuthula Matyenisi (33) appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on
Friday after they were arrested on Thursday, following the discovery of the
body of the girl in Nambuzane Street, Kuyasa, Khayelitsha on Wednesday.
COURTESY: Facebook - ANC Khayelitsha Cluster: Odwa Jack & Nokuthula MatyenisiKowa's parents reported her missing on the evening of 22
July 2025, and was found the next morning with visible head injuries and was
declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. A SAPS sniffer dog led
investigators to a nearby residence in Sindwadwa Street, just six houses away
from the child’s home. There, blood was discovered on a mop and floor.
The pair faces charges of rape and murder. In a courtroom
filled with police officers, community members and media representatives, the
State outlined disturbing preliminary findings. According to the prosecution
the child was found with a screwdriver lodged in her head and a sock in her
mouth. Blood was not only found in the house of the accused but also in the
vehicle belonging to Accused 1, Odwa Jack. Postmortem results also revealed the
presence of semen, prompting the addition of a rape charge. Jack faces charges
of rape and murder and accused 2 Nokuthula Matyenisi, faces a charge of murder.
The case has been remanded for further investigation. Both
accused will remain in custody.
The State has requested a full criminal profile review for
both individuals.
Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Msolo arrested the
two suspects on the same day they discovered the crime scene. “It’s become a
high profile case, but my focus is on investing and bringing justice for the
child.” he said.
A large group of community members, leaders and activists
gathered in protest of Gender Based Violence and Femiside (GBV) in front of the
Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
Parliament's Chairperson on Police, Ian Cameron, lamented
the lack of policing resources.
“A key breakthrough in the investigation came from Tina, a
biological fluid detection dog from the SAPS Cape Town K9 Unit. She led police
to hidden bloodstains inside a house, including a mop used to clean the crime
scene. Without her, this evidence might never have been found. Yet there are
only three SAPS biological fluid detection dogs in the Western Cape and only
one operational SAPS narcotics dog in the Cape Town metro.”
After hearing complaints about local police capacity, I
joined MPs Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell for an unannounced oversight
visit to Harare Police Station. We confirmed that more than 50 percent of the
station’s vehicles are currently non-operational. Officers are willing and able
to work and with keen station leadership, but many simply cannot respond to
calls due to the lack of vehicles. I am compiling a formal oversight report for
urgent submission to the relevant authorities and SAPS leadership. This child
deserved protection. She deserves justice,” he added.
NPO, Malihambe Women Outreach, expressed disappointment on
how SAPS is responding to GBV cases.
“It is rather very concerning that the Domestic Acts and
Policies are not implemented and the this is
a clear indication that this is denying
constitutional right to the society . Malihambe Women Outreach NPO as an
organization responsible for the watch and brief over the case would like to
request the court not grant bail to the suspects at this stage, not unless in
so far as the evidence collected and biological samples taken from them be
clearing them not to be linked to the matter,” said Nosipho Daniels, Activist:
GBV & Social Justice Psycho Social Support
Victim Support Malihambe Women Outreach.
Done By: Mitchum George
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