Seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa was murdered and raped allegedly by her neighbours.
Image: Supplied
The case against the couple accused of murdering seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa and dumping her body on an open field under rubbish and clothing, has been transferred to the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town.
They are expected to make their first appearance on 24 April 2026.
Nokuthula Matyesini and Odwa Jack previously appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court, facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, rape, and murder.
According to the indictment, the State alleged that the accused kidnapped Lolitha Kowa, with the intent to deprive her mother of lawful custody.
In a second count, the accused are charged with rape, with the State alleging that they unlawfully and intentionally committed an act of sexual penetration on the seven-year-old child. The charge prescribes severe minimum sentences for such offences, particularly where the victim is under the age of 18 and where grievous bodily harm is involved.
The third count relates to murder. The State alleged that the accused unlawfully and intentionally killed the child, with aggravating circumstances. These include that the victim was a minor and that the killing occurred in the commission of, or following, a sexual offence.
Court documents outline the sequence of events leading up to the child’s death.
On 22 July 2025, at approximately 14:00, Lolitha left her home, informing her mother that she was going to play at the residence of the accused with a friend. She was last seen in the company of Matyesini and her children.
Later that evening, when the child had not returned home, her mother sent her brother to the accused’s residence to look for her, but she was not there. A search by family members and the community yielded no results, prompting the filing of a missing persons report with police.
Odwa Jack and girlfriend Nokuthula Matyeseni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court for the rape and murder of Lolitha Kowa.
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
The child’s body was discovered the following day, 23 July 2025, at a dumping site, covered with rubbish and clothing.
A postmortem examination concluded that the cause of death was a penetrating head injury, with aspiration listed as a contributory cause.
The State is set to prove that forensic evidence links both accused to the crime.
Blood belonging to the deceased was reportedly found inside and outside the home of the accused, while clothing belonging to Matyesini was discovered at the scene where the body was recovered. It is also alleged that Jack made a statement to a private individual.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the accused have now formally served with the indictment and summary of substantial facts as the matter proceeds to the High Court.The case is expected to draw significant public attention as it moves into the next phase of prosecution.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za