Khayelitsha couple returns to court for Lolitha Kowa's murder

The couple accused of raping and killing seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa are expected back in court on Wednesday morning.

Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni have been in custody since July 23, the day the child’s body was discovered with a screwdriver lodged in her head in another part of Kuyasa, Khayelitsha.

Lolitha was last seen the day before, when she told her mother she was going to play with a friend, Matyeseni’s daughter.

Her family only saw her again when an image of her lifeless body circulated on a community WhatsApp group, leaving the Khayelitsha community in shock.

Following the discovery, the couple was arrested and charged with rape and murder after an autopsy revealed the presence of DNA inside the victim.

During their last court appearance on August 8, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that a charge of kidnapping had also been added.

“They now face kidnapping, rape, and murder — the evidence we have at our disposal points to the two of them. We have overwhelming evidence, and that is the reason we believe they have a case to answer,” Ntabazalila said.

Jack and Matyeseni are expected to apply for bail, but only if the address they provide to the court is verified. Their home was previously set alight by community members, prompting the State to argue that they are a flight risk and that bail should be opposed.

Initially, the accused offered an alternative address, but the State deemed it unsuitable.

“The State can confirm that we are in possession of the deposition of the owner of the address given to us,” the prosecutor told the court.

“The owner confirmed to the State that they unfortunately do not want both Accused 1 (Jack) and Accused 2 (Matyeseni) at their place of residence. The State also objects to this address, as one of the crucial State witnesses, who is a minor, is staying at the same address.”

The court is yet to determine whether the accused will be allowed to apply for bail at a verified location.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za