An Airport Valley community incensed by the brutal murder of an eight-year-old girl marched to the Walmer police station on Wednesday to hand over a petition calling for justice.
The discovery of Walmer Primary School grade 2 pupil Taslin Lukas’s partially burnt body in an unfinished RDP house two weeks ago sparked an outcry, prompting more than 100 pupils to take part in the protest.
A few hours after the demonstration, a 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said community members, who had dispersed after singing and chanting on Main Road, found the man at the Fifth Avenue dump site at about 2.30pm.
He was attacked before managing to flee.
“A security vehicle stopped and intervened, taking him to Walmer police station, where he was detained for the child’s murder,” Naidu said.
She said the suspect was known to the child’s family.
“The suspect is alleged to be the boyfriend of the deceased girl’s mother.
“[At this stage], our investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Community groups, residents and more than 100 pupils from Walmer and John Masiza primary schools, all brandishing placards, signalled their intent as they joined the march to the police station, which started at the Ninth Avenue taxi rank.
The protesters handed over a petition to the police station’s top brass.
It demanded that an update be provided on progress in the case and:
- The apprehension of the suspect;
- Bail to be denied;
- Swift court proceedings;
- Maximum sentencing if the suspect was found guilty; and
- A new police station in Walmer Township.
The petition was accepted by acting station commander Charmaine Badenhorst.
“It [was] motivating to see the many women and children and school pupils gathered,” Badenhorst said.
“Whenever a child [is murdered], it must be a concern for everybody, not just the police.
“It must be a concern for the community at large because it’s a tragedy.”
Taslin’s heartbroken mother, Abronisha, said her daughter had asked to visit a close family friend in a nearby section on Saturday July 22, two days before she was found murdered.
“Before leaving at [about] 4.30pm, she asked to put on [her favourite] green jacket,” Abronisha said.
Taslin was found wearing the same clothes when children came across what they thought was a doll inside an abandoned structure on July 24.
Her killer had tried to set the girl’s body alight, resulting in burns to large parts of her face.
An emotional Abronisha could not say why she had not immediately opened a missing person case when her child did not return home.
She said she trusted Taslin was safe.
“It wasn’t the first time she slept at the neighbour’s house.
“She returned home every time, and her safety was never a concern.
“I can’t say what held me back from opening a case [when she didn’t] return after the first night.”
A child and youth care worker at Jerusalem Ministries in Walmer, Yolisa Mentjies, whose organisation assists orphaned and vulnerable children, said the NPO had thrown its full support behind the family.
“We supported the family and community by adding our voice to heightening calls to end women and child abuse,” Mentjies said.
Walmer Primary School teacher Thokozile Ndlangalavu said: “The news about the incident shocked us to the core.
“It was upsetting to get the details of her murder and teachers were shattered.
“There was endless crying across the passages that day and once we received the message about the planned march, there was no question about taking part in it.”
A funeral service for Taslin will be held on Saturday at Walmer Primary before she is laid to rest.
Gqirana Funeral Directors in Walmer Township has offered to undertake the funeral arrangements at no cost to assist the family.
Ward 4 councillor Nozuko Mbambo-Tys said the murder might have been averted had there not been a delay in completing the RDP houses where Taslin’s body was found.
She said her office would provide financial assistance to the family if the need arose.
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