By: Natasha Archary
The family of Bokgabo Poo were left devastated after the justice system failed them, by letting the man accused of the 4-year old’s murder walk free.
Ntokozo Zikhali was acquitted for the kidnapping, rape and murder of the little girl, who went missing while playing at a park in Watville, Benoni, on October 2022.
Bokgabo’s friend alerted the family of a stranger, who was identified as Zikhali, had approached them, and asked the little boy to go to the shop alone to buy sweets.
When the little boy returned, he found that Bokgabo and the stranger were nowhere to be found.
Bokgabo’s leg was found the next day, in a shallow grave in Tamboville.
Ntokozo Zikhali, who was accused of kidnapping and murdering the 4-year old, was on Monday, 07 August acquitted of all charges, after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.
Speaking to media after the court proceedings, Bokgabo’s father, Irvin Ndlovu said he was disappointed at the court ruling, but vowed to not stop seeking justice for his daughter’s death.
“I have no idea what happens next, all I know is that we will not stop seeking justice. We’re very disappointed with the ruling, and did not anticipate this at all.
How do you tell me that a murderer who has confessed, who was seen on the footage walking away with my 4-year old child, he confessed to kidnapping her, and now, today, you’re telling me that he’s a free man?
How does this happen?”
Almost a year later, Ndlovu says his family is no closer to healing and finding closure from his daughter’s brutal murder.
Bokgabo was raped, killed, and some of her dismembered body parts were found in two locations. Parts of her body was also burnt.
Ndlovu said his family still have not recovered all her body parts.
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