Statement by Cameron Dugmore, the MEC for Education

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION MEC Cameron Dugmore has expressed shock and anger at the brutal killing of a 12-year-old rural learner who is suspected to have been raped and her throat slit.

Lena Otto from the farm school Willems Valley Primary School near Porterville was reported missing on Monday when she did not turn up for school. Her body was found late this afternoon (Thursday 29 July 2004).

A local police official would not confirm the exact nature of her dead, saying an official report could only be issued after an autopsy tomorrow (Friday 30 July). But community sources say she was raped and her throat slit with a sharp object, possibly a knife.

Lena and her mother Sophia Frans stayed on the farm De Eike near Porterville. Her father died two years ago. She visited a friend on a nearby farm on Saturday evening.

A suspect, who was last seen with her that evening, was arrested this morning. He cracked under police interrogation this afternoon and led police to the scene of the crime.

The suspect, who has previous criminal convictions including rape, is believed to have raped the girl, strangled and slit her throat, and covered the body with reed plants in a dam.

The mother of the girl went to identify the body this evening.

On Monday, after the mother reported Lena missing, a search party went looking for her throughout the week. The school said she was never one to miss class easily, other than through illness.

During the week the search party found clothing parts in the bushes. They questioned the person last seen with her, but he denied knowing about her whereabouts,

However, this afternoon he led police to where Lena's body was lying for the last four days.

Said MEC Dugmore: "It is shocking and I am angry that an innocent learner has met her death like this. What has she done to deserve this?

"I know the family is poor, and have asked the Mayor and the local Councillor to assist the family in whichever way they can.

"I want to express my condolences to the family and school friends of Lena, and want to thank the local community for the support they have given the family."