Raucous gasps reverberated across the Benoni Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, when it was revealed that the man accused of the murder of four-year-old Bokgabo Poo was out on bail for allegedly raping a minor.
Bokgabo Poo murder: Accused killer faces these charges
Ntokozo Zikhali appeared in court for the first time following his arrest on Friday, 14 October 2022. Clad in a stained hoody and jeans, the accused murderer sat quietly on the dock as supporters of the victim’s family broke out into a chant.
As reported by News24, Zikhali was formally charged with kidnapping, murder, defeating the ends of justice and violating a corpse.
The search for Poo ended in tragedy when, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, forensic tests on a toddler’s leg that was found at a property in Tamboville a day after the four-year-old was reported missing returned a positive DNA match.
The full extent of the horror Poo endured has yet to be unveiled in court.
However, more shocking was the revelation made by State prosecutor Shantal Williams about Zikhali’s ongoing criminal case. According to the state, Zikhali was released on bail earlier this year for allegedly raping a minor.
It was found that the matter was pending at the very same court where he appeared for the murder of Bokgabo Poo.
Zikhali’s first court appearance for the death of the Watteville toddler was brief. As reported by News24, the matter was postponed to 24 October 2022 after Zikhali’s lawyer withdrew from the case in the 11th hour.
The accused killer is expected back in court next week, where he will be afforded the right to apply for bail.
Watch: Bokgabo’s father launches attack on Zikhali in court
Monday’s events at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court were shocking, to say the least. However, the viral moment came when Bokgabo’s father Irvin Ndlovu, lost his cool and pounced on Zikhali, screaming, “you killed my daughter, you killed my daughter!”
Ndlovu was subdued by marshalls and removed from the courtroom. From what we understand, he faces no charges for his outburst.
Here is video footage of the wild scenes that unravelled inside the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.