I’m sorry, says killer of little Minentle

He was found guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder

CONVICTED murderer Xolani Lantu told the Western Cape High Court yesterday that he was sorry for killing and raping Minentle Lekhatha. He was found guilty of kidnapping, two counts of rape and murder yesterday.

Lantu told the court he had killed the five-year-old because he had been angered by her telling him that his ex-girlfriend, Minentle’s grandmother, “has a new boyfriend who sleeps over at their house”.

Minentle’s family and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and called for a lengthy sentence to be handed down.

Judge Derek Wille said State prosecutor Maria Marshall had proved her case beyond reasonable doubt.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazazila said Marshall “will ask the court to impose life imprisonment for each of the two rape charges, life imprisonment for the murder charge and 10 years for the kidnapping charge”.

He lauded investigating officer Moleka Nteta for his “sterling work” on the case.

“The conviction of the accused, within one year of Minentle’s murder, shows the NPA’s continued commitment to prioritise the prosecution of all child murders in this province,” Ntabazalila said.

Minentle’s dad, Siyabonga Bomela, applauded the swift justice that saw Lantu convicted within a year of the murder. “It is not about how one feels, we are glad justice is to be served for Minentle,” said Bomela.

Lantu confessed to raping Minentle under a footbridge near her home. He strangled her, fearing she would report his actions to her family.

IT IS NOT ABOUT HOW ONE FEELS. WE ARE GLAD THAT JUSTICE IS TO BE SERVED FOR HER