The half-naked body of a 14 – year-old girl was found with her “brain leaking “from her skull after she was beaten to death with a concrete block.
Janika Mallo was discovered in her grandmother’s garden on Sunday morning by horrified family members who believe she was raped as her dungarees had been pulled down.
The teenager’s skull had been so badly bashed, relatives said they saw “her brain leaking” from the left side of her face, according toIOL News.
The friendly schoolgirl lived in Heinz Park in Cape Town, South Africa, with her mother Janine Mallo, 31.
Distraught Janine sobbed as she recalled their last interaction on Saturday about 6pm when they had had an argument.
She said: “I smacked her in her face and told her she cannot go to the soccer club’s event in Portland, and that was the last I saw her alive.
“The last thing I gave my child was a smack across her face. She was on her way home as far as I know when last I heard from her and her friends. ”
Police are investigating a group of young men“ known for their mischief ”in the area of the city.
Two teenagers have been arrested.
Janika’s grandmother Pauline Butler toldIOL:“At the scene, the 18 – year-old was acting suspicious and had fresh scratch marks on his neck. So the arrest didn’t surprise me. He was arrested on Monday and on Tuesday the other one was arrested.
“They both allegedly belong to the Hard Livings gang and we know there are more.”
Janika’s father Marlon Koopman, 38, who last saw his daughter a week ago, added: “Her face was beaten in with a big brick. I think she was made unconscious and then they raped her.
“Her dungarees were around her ankles. Her chest was covered, but she was naked otherwise.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed they were investigating the murder.
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He said: “The circumstances surrounding the death of a 14 -year-old girl whose body was found on Sunday at 8. 17 am, lying in the backyard of a premises in Chapini Street, Heinz Park, Samora Machel is under investigation.
“A murder case was registered for investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“Crime scene experts are on the scene combing the scene for clues. Detectives are following all leads to solve this case.”
Yesterday, residents protested outside the local court demanding justice for Janika. They stood bearing signs as they turned out to support the teen’s family.
It comes as police also revealed a total of 179 683 crimes against women and 45, 229 against children were reported in the 2018 – 19 financial year.
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