The rural community of Maila village was shattered after a two-year-old boy was brutally killed on 14 October.
According to police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, the suspect, Steven Moloisi, was fighting with his girlfriend, Monica, on the night of the incident. Family members woke up at around midnight when they heard the two people fighting. When the fight got serious, the family members ran out of the house, leaving Monica's sister's two-year-old son, Khodani Sadiki, in the corridor in the house. Blinded by rage, Moloisi allegedly grabbed the child and started smashing his head against the floor. By the time the police and emergency services arrived, the child was dead.
Moloisi (42) was arrested and charged with murder. He appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate's Court on 15 October. His case was postponed to 27 September for a bail application.
The MEC for Social Development Nkakareng Rakgoale has sent her heartfelt condolences to the Sadiki family. "The department remains concerned about incidents of this nature that are being reported in some parts of the province. We urge people to assist government by always ensuring the safety of children," Rakgoale said.