Morero speaks out against ritual murders at Likhona Fose’s memorial

Mayor of Johannesburg Dada Morero has slammed the brutal murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose.

Her mutilated body was found in Durban Deep, in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg.

Morero says there is no wealth acquired from ritual killing, adding that justice needs to prevail. He further urged parents to take care of their children, particularly girls.

Morero was speaking in Braamfischerville, where a memorial service for the teenager took place.

“There’s no body part that will make you rich. And that narrative we must tell our, people. You need to wake up early and work if you want to be rich. God loves you. I cannot say he could have taken your child in this fashion. This is the work of a criminal. We hope the police do everything in their power to find the perpetrator.”

Meanwhile, South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) representative Owen Rikhotso says the murder of Fose has negatively affected their afternoon classes programme with neighbouring schools, as girl learners are now afraid for their lives.

Rikhotso was also speaking during Fose’s memorial service.

The 14-year-old was found dead on Sunday last week after she went missing on Saturday. Her mutilated body was discovered in a veld, a few kilometres away from her home.

Rikhotso says such crimes have widespread effects.

“With our neighbouring schools, we run a number of extra classes. So, this kind of diabolic and evil acts have negative impact in our intervention programs. Now we have girl learners that are afraid and so scared to come to school for afternoon lessons. So, this is robbing knowledge, it is disturbing the system as a whole.”

Rikhotso has also encouraged girls to walk in groups as an added safety precaution.

“To the girl children, we encourage you as well that as a safety measure, you walk in groups when you come to school and when you go back home.”