Eldos mother now charged with her daughter’s murder

The Eldorado Park mother previously charged with failing to report the sexual assault of her daughter has now also been charged with murder.

She appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court today alongside the child’s father. The pair have since abandoned their bail application.

The four-year-old girl was found unconscious earlier this month in a shack, with head injuries, bruises and a swollen eye, after her father allegedly assaulted her. She later died in hospital.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the parents’ combined docket also includes charges of assault relating to their surviving two-year-old son.

NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, says the son has been taken to a place of safety.

The father faces charges including murder, rape, compelled rape, child abuse, and assault of a minor, while the mother faces charges of failing to report a sexual offence against a minor, murder, and child abuse.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Bandile Masuku, has welcomed the decision by the pair to abandon their bail.

“It is the committee’s firm position that individuals accused of such heinous crimes should remain in custody, as they pose a grave threat to the safety and well-being of our communities.”

Masuku has urged the courts to impose the harshest possible sentences should the accused be found guilty.

He also reiterated the committee’s solidarity with the Eldorado Park community.

Community member and local brigade volunteer, Zelda Van Der Merwe, says it’s heartbreaking how things ended, saying the parents’ toxic relationship played a major role in the tragedy.

“It’s not easy to come out of an abusive relationship; people need to learn that when you are in an abusive relationship, you need to speak out.”

Van der Merwe added that many victims are too afraid to seek help despite resources being available, and urged neighbours to be more vigilant in reporting abuse.

She also urged neighbours to be more vigilant and report any signs of abuse within their communities.

Van Der Merwe also noted the sadness that the mother will not be able to bury her daughter tomorrow.

Poor baby Nikita.

— 💌BAB💕 (@MantloroRammala) August 17, 2025

I cannot fathom the pain baby Nikita went through . After her own father ,mind you the very figure that is supposed to protect her , abused and assaulted her. It’s so sad when you think of all the nasty things these perverted men do to young children.He deserves the death penalty

— CloakAndClarity (@the_CloakC) August 15, 2025

The Nikita story has broken me , I am speechless. That poor baby girl deserved so much better. Oh may her soul rest in peace 😔.

— 🧚🏾‍♀️ (@jojomatches) August 13, 2025