Johannesburg - A trial date has been set for September 12-16 for suspected child murderer Joseph Phage, 38.
Phage has been accused of allegedly kidnapping and murdering his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter, Kamogelo, who he allegedly fetched at a primary school in Ikageng and took to an unknown location.
NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the High Court of South Africa North West Division, sitting at the Klerksdorp Regional Court, postponed the murder case against Phage for trial in September
“During pre-trial conference, both the state and the defence attorney from Legal Aid confirmed their readiness for trial,” said Mathomane.
The suspect, who will remain in police custody until his next court appearance, was arrested in November 2021 following a kidnapping case opened by the mother of the deceased at a local police station.
He faces four charges that include murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.
Mamothane said the accused was arrested in November last year after police proceeded to his home to search and they discovered a lifeless body of Kamogelo hidden under a bed.
“Police reports revealed that Phage was arrested on Monday November 8, 2021, following an incident wherein the body of 10-year-old Kamogelo Sithole was found inside his shack in Sonderwater informal settlement at Ikageng near Potchefstroom.”
Phage is alleged to have kidnapped his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old girl at a primary school in Ikageng and took her to an unknown location.
Following the child’s disappearance, the mother reported a case of kidnapping at a local police station. He was arrested on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Zakhele informal settlement, and he failed to disclose the whereabouts of the child.”
Following investigations by the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has assigned advocate Benny Kalakgosi to ensure that justice is served in court in the wake of a sharp increase of the murder and assault of children under the age of 17.
IOL