Joseph Phage, 38, was arrested when the police found the girl’s body in his shack. Image: Canva
Joseph Phage faces murder charge for killing ex-girlfriend’s child
Police arrested Joseph Phage, 38, when they discovered the girl’s body hidden under a bed at his home just outside town.
Joseph Phage, 38, was arrested when the police found the girl’s body in his shack. Image: Canva
Joseph Phage, 38, has appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates` Court to face charges of kidnapping and murder after he allegedly abducted and killed his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said police had arrested Joseph Phage after Kamogelo Sithole’s body was found in his shack in the Sonderwater informal settlement at Ikageng near Potchefstroom.
“Police reports revealed that Phage was arrested on Monday 8 November 2021, following an incident wherein the body of 10-year-old Kamogelo Sithole was found inside his shack,” Mamothame said.
He said the suspect had first appeared in court on 4 November to face a charge of attempted murder after his then girlfriend opened an earlier case against him in 2021.
“Phage is said to have left the court without appearing and a warrant for his arrest was issued,” he said.
Joseph Phage allegedly kidnapped girl at school
Mamothame said that Phage had later allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter at a primary school in Ikageng. He then took her to an unknown location.
“Following the child’s disappearance, the mother reported a case of kidnapping at a local police station. The Police arrested Phage on Sunday 07 November 2021 at Zakhele informal settlement, and upon his arrest, Phage failed to disclose the whereabouts of the child,” he said.
“On Monday 08 November 2021, the police proceeded to the Phage’s place to search it, they discovered the 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 and further investigations are underway,” he said.
Mamothame said that the NPA had assigned a capable team of prosecutors to ensure that justice is served.
Phage, who is being represented by a state-funded Legal Aid South Africa attorney, abandoned his bail application. He will remain in police custody until his next court appearance.
