Mitchells Plain folk have had enough

Protesters want justice for families of two girls found murdered

HUNDREDS of residents in Mitchells Plain marched against violence against children after two girls were found murdered and possibly raped in Tafelsig and Retreat in the space of two weeks.

They marched from Tafelsig Primary School and Paulsberg Road to the magistrate’s court, carrying placards demanding justice for the families of the two girls.

The naked body of Stacha Arendse, 11, was found on Tuesday morning by a search team in a bush at a soccer field behind the Swartklip Centre, a few streets away from her home in Tafelsig.

The body of 13-year old Rene Roman, who went missing on March 10, was discovered a week ago. A man living in the same street was arrested.

Stacha, a Grade 7 pupil, disappeared on Monday from a friend’s house where she was watching movies. On Wednesday, a 31-year-old man was taken for questioning.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the investigation was continuing.

Ursula Peters, the leader of the march and principal at one of Mitchells Plain’s educare centres, said: “We work with children every day. We want them to have freedom to play wherever they want and we want them to be protected.

“Every day a child goes missing. Some are never found and some are found murdered and raped, enough is enough. Our children step out in the morning and go to school not aware that there are people with mindsets to harm them.”

Residents said they feared the suspect would not get the sentence he deserved as he was out on parole after raping and killing a child in another area in Mitchells Plain. They said they want criminals to be named and shamed.

Mitchells Plain police cluster commander Gregory Goss said the suspect ,Randy Tango, was a convicted rapist released on parole six months ago. He had been taken in for questioning and police were sure they had “caught the main suspect”.

It is alleged police have evidence which includes blood-stained clothing obtained from a house, and a statement from a witness.

Tango is Stacha’s neighbour. It is believed she was lured to her death by another child, who was sent to call her under the pretence her mother wanted her.

CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL NOT AWARE THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH MINDSETS TO HARM THEM

PICTURE: AYANDA NDAMANE PROTECTION: Mitchells Plain residents joined 10 educare centres on a march in Tafelsig against violence against children. They started from Tafelsig Primary School and headed to a memorial in Orion Church International.