The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has received horrendous and deeply disturbing information from residents of Vlakfontein, south of Johannesburg, reporting a violent crime involving a young girl.
It is alleged that a young girl was raped and her body dumped in the streets of Vlakfontein. This information is shocking and heartbreaking.
The DA immediately alerted Lenasia South SAPS and has since confirmed with police that a 17-year-old girl was reported deceased in the early hours of the day. At this stage, SAPS has not confirmed whether the teenager was raped, and investigations are ongoing.
The DA Gauteng condemns this brutal killing, as well as the continued violence plaguing our townships, particularly violence directed at women and children, who should be protected, not brutalised.
Safety in informal settlements and townships remains alarmingly poor, with residents living in constant fear despite Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s claims that his administration is working to “take Gauteng back from criminals”.
We call on Premier Lesufi, who is also the de facto MEC for Community Safety, together with SAPS, to act swiftly and decisively in investigating this heinous crime, apprehending the perpetrator(s), and restoring a sense of safety in Vlakfontein and the surrounding areas.
We further urge anyone with information that may assist the investigation to immediately contact Lenasia South SAPS. Community cooperation is critical to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.
A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would prioritise stronger policing, visible law enforcement, and effective crime prevention to protect vulnerable communities.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.