CAPE TOWN - A father charged with murder after his 2-year-old daughter’s decomposing body was found stuffed inside the ceiling of his house will have to face his trial behind bars.
The Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court denied Mokete Legodi, 47, bail and postponed the matter to October 27 for further investigation, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson for the North West Division Henry Mamothame.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Riekie Kriel submitted that the state would argue for a maximum sentence – life – if the accused was convicted. She said that in light of such a sentence, there was the possibility that the father may flee and not face his trial.
Kriel also indicated that Legodi had been contacting the mother of the deceased from prison, which according to her was an indication of him being highly likely to make contact with State witnesses, especially if released.
Kriel also said that investigations were almost concluded and that the State would soon be ready to go on trial with the matter.
Legodi’s appearance comes after the lifeless body of a toddler was discovered inside the ceiling of his residential home in Alabama, near Klerksdorp. He was subsequently charged with the kidnapping and murder of the child.
It is alleged that on May 13, Legodi went to his girlfriend’s home at Extension 20 in Jouberton and took their daughter without the consent of the mother, who was in hospital at the time.
Family members who were taking care of the child assumed he would bring the child back, as he usually did.
When he did not and they enquired about the child’s whereabouts, the man denied that he had taken her.
The mother got discharged from hospital the following day and went on a search for the missing toddler. Family members assisted in the search, but they could not find her.
The following day, she went to Jouberton police station where a case of a missing person was opened. Further investigations by the police led to Legodi’s arrest two days later. He was charged with kidnapping after failing to tell the police where the child was.
The police investigation continued for the missing child, and a day after Legodi’s arrest for kidnapping, her body was discovered by members of the community. This was after they followed up on a bad smell coming from Legodi’s house.
Neighbours investigated and discovered the lifeless and decomposing body of the child hidden inside the ceiling of his house. The police were called and a murder charge was added.
It is claimed that the man went to his girlfriend’s home while she was in hospital and took the child, who was playing outside, without telling anyone.
When the grandmother, who was taking care of the child at the time, did not see her, she assumed that the father had taken her.
The accused, however, denied that he had seen the child when he was asked about her whereabouts later.
Cape Times