"She was dumped like a dog" - Lolitha Kowa’s father shares heartbreaking details of daughter's murder in Khayelitsha

The father of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa, Zukisani Sikade, struggled to contain his emotions as he recounted the horror of hearing that his daughter was brutally murdered during the first court appearance of the two accused in the case.

Nokuthula Matyeseni, 33, and her boyfriend, Odwa Jack, 32, appeared briefly in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape and murder.

Disturbing details emerged during the proceedings, including that Lolitha’s body was discovered with socks stuffed in her mouth and a screwdriver embedded in her skull. A post-mortem report revealed the presence of sperm on the child’s body, as well as injuries beneath her fingernails.

Investigators also told the court that blood traces were found in a vehicle linked to Mr Jack. It was further revealed that Mr Jack has a previous conviction for car theft, having received a suspended five-year sentence.

Ms Matyeseni was previously arrested for assault in 2011, although that case was later withdrawn. A heartbroken Mr Sikade said he is still grappling with the reality of his daughter’s death.

“I was called to identify her body - my only child,” he said.

“I can’t understand what kind of person would do this to her. At night, I relive the pain. I still get flashbacks of how her precious body was dumped. Sometimes it feels unreal, like I will see her walk through the door again.”

Mr Sikade expressed his shock upon learning that one of the accused, Ms Matyeseni, was someone familiar to the family. “She was even helping us look for my daughter when she was missing. It never crossed my mind that she could be involved,” he said. “I also want to make it clear that there was no fight between Nokuthula and the child’s mother, despite what some people are saying.”

He described the trauma endured by the entire family, particularly the child’s grandmother, who helped raise Lolitha, as excruciating.

“She was dumped like a dog,” he said quietly. “And the fact that she was raped, I don’t even want to register that in my mind.”

Despite the grief, Mr Sikade said he is grateful that his daughter’s body was found — a fate many other parents of missing children are denied.

“I appreciate the support from the community. It helps ease the pain a little. I’m also relieved that those responsible are behind bars and will face justice."

Lolitha will be laid to rest in the Eastern Cape in the coming week.

Speaking on the broader context of child murders in South Africa, Ian Cameron, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, said Lolitha’s murder is part of a disturbing national trend.

“Three children are murdered every day in South Africa. Around 25 are killed weekly, and 100 every month,” Mr Cameron said. “We are facing a pandemic of child murders. It’s almost become normalised, which is a moral and societal crisis.”