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Transvaal Judge-President Bernard Ngoepe mourns with his family at the memorial service for his murdered granddaughter.
Johannesburg - The killing of Makgabo Bernice Matlala, granddaughter of Transvaal Judge-President Bernard Ngoepe, "is a wake-up call to the country's law enforcers that there is still a lot of work to be done to get South Africa right".
These were the words of Firoz Cachalia, MEC for community safety in Gauteng, during a memorial service for the four-year-old girl at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Members of the legal profession and child-rights activists reacted equally strongly during the moving ceremony about Makgabo's "senseless" and "barbaric" murder last week.
Her naked body was found by forensic investigators under her parents' bed at their home in Lenasia South near Johannesburg during an extensive search of the area.
She apparently was strangled with a pair of pants belonging to her father, magistrate Stephen Matlala, during a robbery at the house. Her hands were tied behind her back.
Innocent targets
The Matlalas' domestic worker was blindfolded and the robbers took turns in raping her.
Cachalia told Judge Ngoepe: "There will never be sufficient justice for a murder like this.
"Makgabo's innocence and vulnerability are an example of the people whom violent criminals are targeting nowadays.
"Hopefully, the country's mourning for your granddaughter will help heal your family's broken hearts in time."
A heartbroken Ngoepe, flanked by family members, was seated in the front row in church.
"It was a gruesome and senseless murder," said Muzi Msimang, president of the Black Attorneys Association amid loud chanting by mourners.
"Poverty is not an excuse for a crime like this, because raping an elderly woman and murdering an innocent child do not fill one's stomach."
Delphin Serumaga, representing People Opposing Woman Abuse (Powa), described Makgabo's murder as "unbelievably barbaric", and said that such atrocities were happening far too often in South Africa.
Official statistics revealed by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, in answer to a parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance, showed that three children were murdered a day in the 2004/'05 year, reported Borrie le Grange.
Ishmael Semenya SC said Makgabo's "innocent face" would haunt violent criminals countrywide for a long time.
Family's 'incredible sufering'
"The memories of Makgabo will force each one of us to find answers and will unite us in our mourning.
"Her gruesome death has left all of us inconsolable, but will strengthen us in our striving to overcome evil," said Semenya.
Ngoepe, who fought back tears throughout the service, said afterwards that the family was going through "incredible suffering".
"They are trying to be strong, but it is very difficult under the circumstances," he said.
