Police have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of the mutilated body of a 14-year-old girl in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, located in western Johannesburg.
According to authorities, a passerby made the grim discovery beneath a shrub on Sunday and immediately alerted police. The identity of the suspects remains unknown at this stage.
The victim has been identified as Likhina Fose. In a chilling twist, the location of her murder is the same area where the body of Tshegofatso Pule—an eight-months-pregnant woman—was found hanging in June 2020. Pule’s brutal killing shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage over gender-based violence.
The Tshegofatso Pule Foundation has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the latest incident. Speaking to the media, the Foundation’s spokesperson, Botlhale Modisane, said they were devastated by the news.
“We received a call regarding the discovery of the body of a 14-year-old, Likhina Fose, who was found brutally murdered, with her genitals mutilated as well,” Modisane revealed. “It is something that is so heartbreaking. We cannot even begin to wrap our heads around how to console the family or make sense of this. Why would someone do this to an innocent young girl with her whole life ahead of her?”
Modisane added that the timing of the tragedy has further compounded their grief, as it comes just days before the anniversary of Pule’s death.
“For us, it’s also rehashing memories and the emotional turmoil we went through with Tshegofatso Pule—not only because it happened in the same area where her body was found, but also because it’s occurring just three days before her commemoration,” she said.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue.