Mawela to prove Soshanguve police ‘failure’ in Palesa Malatji case

The 17-year-old Ntsako Secondary School pupil was brutally raped and killed last week while on her way home from school.

The teenager went missing on Thursday afternoon.

Her uncle Thabiso Malatji said they began searching for her when his son told him that another boy in the neighbourhood said he had been startled by noises in a nearby bush.

Malatji stressed that it was out of character for Palesa to be late, prompting him to approach the police.

However, he claims the police failed to assist him.

The provincial commissioner's office says a preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased’s mother and uncle approached the Phuthanong Police Contact point, which is a satellite for SAPS Rietgat at around 8pm.

"The family requested the police at the Community Service Centre to accompany them in their search for their missing daughter. It is alleged that the police officers on duty told the family that they were not able to assist. This is in contrary to the process that the police should follow when a missing person is reported, especially a minor.

“The family then left the police station and came back less than an hour later. It is during this time that the police officers registered a missing person complaint and then accompanied the family to search for Palesa. Unfortunately, the search ended with the discovery of Palesa’s lifeless body in the bushes near a primary school.”

Mawela says the station commander of Rietgat has started with the necessary procedure to institute an internal disciplinary process for the members that allegedly failed to provide a service to the family.

"Omitting to perform services needed by the community is seen as a serious offence as it brings the service into disrepute.

“We will deal decisively with those that are found guilty for failing to do their job,” vowed Mawela.

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