In the wake of tragedy: CODETA's support for Lolitha Kowa's family
The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) has extended its support to the grieving family of slain Lolitha Kowa by donating R15000 and providing transport to the Eastern Cape for her burial, which is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, August 2.
This gesture follows the revelation that one of the suspects in the murder of the seven-year-old girl, Odwa Jack, was an active taxi driver affiliated with CODETA at the time of the arrest.
Nokuthula Matyeseni and Mr Jack appeared in Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court today, Friday, August 1, on charges of rape and murder.
Lolitha's body was discovered by police a day after she was reported missing at Harare Police Station on Tuesday, July 22, when she did not return home from a friend's house.
She was found early on Wednesday morning on Nambuzane Street 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.
CODETA chairperson, Nceba Enge, expressed deep shock upon learning that one of the accused was operating under the association’s name.
Codeta taxi association have pledged support to the late family of Lolitha Kowa who was brutally murdered a week ago in Kuyasa, Khayelitsha. The association donated R15 000 towards the burial costs and provided a taxi to transport the family to the Eastern Cape for the burial. The association said they did this because they were shocked to learn that the person who committed this murder was their driver.
Image: Siyavuya Khaya
“We are an organisation that thrives on peace and good governance,” said Mr Enge. “We felt it was necessary to visit the family, to offer our support, and to show that we stand with them during this painful time.”
Mr Enge said members of CODETA would attend the court appearance today and would advocate for bail to be denied.
“We condemn this senseless act in the strongest terms and distance ourselves completely from it,” he said. “While nothing can bring back the child, we want the family to know that not all taxi operators are heartless. Many of us are parents too; we feel their pain and we mourn with them.”
Mr Enge said that CODETA has begun implementing a driver screening process, which includes forms and background checks, to ensure they are better informed about who they employ. Despite this, they were dismayed to learn the accused was previously convicted of theft and was handed a five-year suspended sentence.
Lolitha’s aunt, Ntombifuthi Kowa, said she was grateful for the support they’ve received from CODETA and other stakeholders, saying it has helped ease their pain.
“At first, we were struggling to come to terms with what happened,” she said. “But the support has helped us begin to process our grief. We are pleading with the justice system to deny bail. What was done to our child is too painful.”
ANC Dullah Omar regional chairperson, Ndithini Tyhido, also confirmed that the party has helped the family with burial costs and the transportation of Lolitha’s body to the Eastern Cape.
“As an organisation, we prefer not to disclose the exact amounts contributed, as we don’t want it to be seen as a publicity stunt or political campaign,” said Mr Tyhido. “We decided to stand with the family because of the sheer brutality of this crime, and we will continue to support them until the very end.”