A Pakistani spaza shop owner becomes a second suspect to be arrested in connection to the killing of Likhona Fose. Source: Getty images
(The Post News)- A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, whose mutilated body was found in an open veld in Durban Deep, Johannesburg.
A Pakistani spaza shop owner is alleged to have ordered Likhona’s killing, her body was found a day after she went missing.
It is reported this new development has caused community outrage which led to the looting of the suspect’s spaza shop.
Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku told Newzroom Afrika that their success is due to the cooperation of Durban Deep community.
“We received a tip-off while we were attending Likhona’s memorial,” said Tshwaku. They had initially spotted three houses, the suspect’s house, his girlfriend’s house and a house in which Likhona was last seen entering with the suspect and was never seen leaving.
Tshwaku said they received a tip-off about alleged issues between Likhona and the spaza shop owner, although he can’t divulge that information at this stage of investigations. They are still looking for the motive for the shop owner to have issued instructions for the killing of the teenager.
MMC Tshwaku said “With this one we got a tip-off from community members, that individual as well has been instrumental in terms of getting her killed but at this point in time the investigation and the affidavit are with the IO.”
“What I can tell you is he is also linked to the murder of Likhona,” said Tshwaku
The MMC confirmed that there is a link between Mduduzi Mnisi and the second suspect. Their initial suspect Mnisi is a convicted criminal released on parole.
Tshwaku praised excellent work by K9, JMPD undercover unit and SAPS in having managed to track down Mnisi.
Tshwaku shed light on the rising number of killings targeting women and girls in the Durban Deep area, stating that Fose’s case is not isolated.
The MMC is not convinced that the teenager was killed for ritual, he rather believes that GBV and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community might be possible motives.
Tshwaku said investigators found that Likhona had received a phone call, after which she left and she never returned.
Mnisi has indicated his intent to apply for bail, which the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is preparing to oppose, MMC emphasized that the suspect should be denied bail, as he is a repeat offender and a flight risk.
Currently it’s not known when the arrested suspect will make his court appearance.
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