Kuyasa residents call on court not to grant bail to duo accused of Lolitha Kowa's rape & murder

CAPE TOWN - Residents of Kuyasa in Khayelitsha are calling on the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court not to grant bail to two people accused of raping and killing seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa.

Her alleged killers, Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni, made their first court appearance on Friday.

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The alleged killers of 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa from Kuyasa in Khayelitsha made their first appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court today. Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni are charged with the rape and murder of the little girl @NtuthuzeloNene pic.twitter.com/BTV8krPxc3
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 25, 2025

They were arrested on Wednesday, after bloodstains believed to be that of the child were found inside Matyeseni's home and Jack's car.

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Residents of Kuyasa in Khayelitsha came out in numbers on Friday, demanding that the most experienced investigators be assigned to the case.

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Hundreds of residents from Khayelitsha as well as activists came to support Lolitha’s family in court today. They’re calling for the pair to be denied bail @NtuthuzeloNene pic.twitter.com/2D8Pv7gYWj
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 25, 2025

Lolitha's father, Zukisani Skade, who was visibly emotional, said that his family was grateful for the support.

"We are really broken as a family by the brutal murder of our daughter. This is really painful for us. But it's comforting to know that the perpetrators have been found."

The case has been postponed to 1 August for bail information.

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He says accused number 2, Nokuthula Matyeseni was a friend of the family and never suspected her of having a hand in his daughter’s disappearance @NtuthuzeloNene pic.twitter.com/ExUMGqv676
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 25, 2025