The Khayelitsha community is reeling after the horrific murder of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa, whose lifeless body was discovered with a screwdriver lodged in her head. The tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to the swift intervention of specialized police units and the arrest of two suspects.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a coordinated effort by various SAPS units — including the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the Dog Unit, POP, Crime Intelligence, and Harare detectives — led to crucial breakthroughs in the case. Lolitha’s body was found on Wednesday morning in Nambuzane Street, Kuyasa. Acting on leads, investigators used sniffer dogs that directed them to a house in Sindwadwa Street, where the child was last seen alive.
“The biological sniffer dog reacted to blood traces on a mop and floor inside the residence,” Twigg revealed. “The evidence strongly suggested the presence of the victim’s blood. An adult male and female were subsequently arrested. They are scheduled to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday, July 25, 2025.”
A Heartbreaking Disappearance
Lolitha was last seen by her family on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after returning home from school. She mentioned going to a friend’s house to play, but never returned. Her family began searching around 5pm, but after hours of frantic attempts, they contacted police at 9pm.
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The young girl’s aunt, Ntombifuthi Kowa, described the family’s anguish upon learning of Lolitha’s death the following morning through a community WhatsApp group. “We circulated her photo the previous night. The next morning, someone shared a picture of a child, and we recognized her clothes,” she recounted. “When we got to the scene, we saw the screwdriver still lodged in her head. Her stomach looked swollen, and her pants were washed and hanging on the suspect’s washing line. Some of her clothes were dumped on top of her body.”
Evidence Points to Suspects
Police investigations quickly focused on the last house Lolitha had mentioned. “When we arrived with the police, the woman inside was cleaning blood off the walls,” Ntombifuthi said. “She and her boyfriend were immediately taken in for questioning.”
Community members, including family friend Mickey Linda, expressed frustration with the initial police response. “We visited that house three times but were met with excuses. When we called the police, we were told they only had one van, and it didn’t have a loudhailer. We felt helpless,” Linda said.
Ward Councillor Lonwabo Mqina confirmed that the community later marched to the police station demanding immediate arrests. “After such a cruel act, people couldn’t accept delays. The sniffer dogs confirmed the crime happened there. We fear there will be no justice if we remain silent,” Mqina stated.
Community Outrage
The brutal killing has left the Kuyasa community traumatized. “They must rot in jail,” Mqina added. “There is no place for people capable of murdering a child in such a heartless way.”
Ntombifuthi revealed that the female suspect was known to the family and often visited their home. “She was no stranger to us. It’s shocking to think she could do something so horrific,” she said.
As the investigation continues, residents are demanding justice for Lolitha, whose young life was cut short in a senseless and violent manner.
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