Case Against Suspected Child Murderer Postponed To Next Year

The Potchefstroom Magistrates Court postponed the murder case against Joseph Phage(38) to 10 February 2022 for further investigations and a the Director of Prosecution’s’ decision to transfer the matter to the high court. 

Phage was appointed a legal aid attorney but has abandoned bail application. 

Police reports revealed that Phage was arrested on Monday, 08 November 2021, following an incident wherein the body of 10-year-old Kamogelo Sithole was found inside his shack in Sonderwater informal settlement, Ikageng near Potchefstroom.

As previously reported by the police that on 04 November 2021, the suspect was appearing in court on a charge of attempted murder for an alleged incident that was reported in June 2021. The complainant has been identified as his former girlfriend. Phage is said to have left the court without appearing and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Following his disappearance at the court precinct, Phage is said to have proceeded to a Primary School in Ikageng, where his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old girl, Kamogelo Sithole is a learner. He then kidnapped the child and took her to an unknown location. 

Following the child’s long disappearance, the mother reported a case of kidnapping at Ikageng police and a search for the girl as well as the suspect ensued.

Police reported to have arrested Phage on Sunday, 07 November 2021 at Zakhele informal settlement in Ikageng. Upon his arrest, he failed to disclose where he had taken the child after he kidnapped her. On Monday, 08 November 2021, the police proceeded to the Phage’s shack to conduct a search and they discovered a lifeless body of Kamogelo hidden under the bed. 

Preliminary investigations indicate that she may have been strangled and police are not ruling out a possibility of her being raped. Further investigations are underway. 

Following a sterling job by the police to apprehend Phage, the National Prosecuting Authority has assign a capable team of prosecutors to ensure that justice is served. Meanwhile, Phage will remain in police custody until his next court appearance. 

Enquiries:
Henry Mamothame 
NPA Spokesperson 
North West Division
082 317 5731
hmamothame@npa.gov.za