A 20-month-old baby girl’s body has been found after she was raped and brutally murdered in the Free State.
After a four-day search, Bokamoso Mpembe’s body was found on a farm on the outskirts of Petrus Steyn with her alleged killer’s body hanging from a nearby tree, according to SABC.
The suspect is Mpembe’s mother’s ex-boyfriend who was on parol as part of the release of prisoners due to COVID-19 spread, according to police. Prisoners were released early to avoid overcrowding in prisons which heightened the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Mpembe’s killer had been convicted of domestic violence after assaulting Mpembe and stabbing her multiple times. This means he should not have been released as the government had assured citizens that no one with offences relating to gender based violence or murder would be released.
The man was chased by community members after taking the sleeping baby but managed to escape.
A government delegation has visited the family, who are in shock and deep pain following the discovery.
The issue of parolee’s re-offending has been central in the discussion around gender-based violence as other offenders have been linked to acts of violence against women and children following their release.
Among the most recent stories include Tazne Van Wyk, whose alleged killer Moyhdian Pangkaeker was also released after serving some of his time for killing his son.
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