Oscar slams police’s refusal to search for toddler

Premier Oscar Mabuyane has condemned the police’s refusal to search for Olovuyo Moni, 3, who was found dead just hours later.

Speaking to the Komani family, Mabuyane said: “I have already registered a complaint with the provincial commissioner, Liziwe Ntshinga.

“Probably, if the police had acted, the child would still be alive.” He said it was sad that four women had walked to the Mlungisi police station at night to register the case but it was not opened.

“It should not be like this as police are the servants of the people. I will follow this matter up,” said Mabuyane.

Mabuyane said the person who killed Olovuyo was probably a man and he would be disappointed if it was discovered that it had been a woman. “It is not normal for a child to be killed for just going to the shop to buy sweets. Both [Enoch Mgijima and Chris Hani district] mayors must work together to make sure that the baby is buried,” he said.

He said they would use Olovuyo’s funeral to teach other people about this crime.

“Counselling must be arranged for the mother and other children at his school.”

He said a government awareness campaign would “use Olovuyo as a symbol”.

Mabuyane met the family after resident Phikolomzi Jaxa informed him of the incident during a community meeting in the area on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Thembeka Ralane said whoever killed the child should pay.

Olovuyo’s mother, Nosiphelo, fainted while Ralane was speaking.

Ralane said: “We are not happy with the police.

“We urge you, premier, to follow this case up.”

Thembakazi Dasi said they would open a case as the community against the police.

“The police there are sleeping and when we went there they did not even try to assist us.

“Instead they shot at us,” she said, referring to police action against a public demonstration outside the station.

The police there are sleeping and when we went there they did not even try to assist us