Photo: Sellwane Khakhau / SABC
Photo: Sellwane Khakhau / SABC
The death of Gomolemo Legae has sparked a wave of outrage across South Africa, as the 19-year-old becomes the latest victim of a brutal femicide. Following his first appearance in court on Wednesday, we can reveal that Karabo Bahurutshe – also aged 19 – has been identified as the suspected killer in North West.
It’s believed that the teenager sought his victim out on her way home. Bahurutshe is said to have stabbed her in a frenzy before pouring petrol on the student and burning her. Legae managed to seek help and identify her killer to a community member before she sadly passed away.
Here’s what we know about the accused:
We reported earlier on Wednesday that he had fatally stabbed and set alight his victim. It was revealed in court that Bahurutshe also raped his victim. In total, he is facing two very serious charges of murder and rape. Although he didn’t stab Legae “25 times” as some reports indicate, he did knife the victim repeatedly.
You can expect him to appear in court again on Friday 21 February 2020. He will remain behind bars for Christmas and the New Year. Karabo Bahurutshe has not yet entered a plea, but he is likely to do so during the upcoming return to The Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court, just outside of Mahikeng.
The suspect was greeted with boos, jeers and the fire and fury of a community appaled by such disgusting behaviour. A few local media sources were on hand to ensure he couldn’t keep his face hidden, too:
The 19 year old suspect accused of raping and murdering #GomolemoLegae appearing in the Mmabatho Magistrates court facing a charge of murder and another charge of rape. He managed to hide his face…But not for long. #SABCNEWS #SABC #RIPGomolemoLegae pic.twitter.com/L7V1ArXT8b
— sellwane khakhau (@SellwaneKhakhau) December 4, 2019