'We will continue to search for the person who killed Likhona' - family

JOHANNESBURG - The family of murdered 14-year-old Likhona Fose said it has not lost hope that the justice system will work to find their child’s killers.

They spoke to the media after the man accused of her murder was set free, following the withdrawal of charges against him.

Thirty-nine-year-old Mduduzi Mnisi appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, where new information ruled him out as a suspect in the case.

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Fose's family members said they were told that the search for more suspects who could have been involved in the murder of their daughter would continue despite Wednesday's outcome after the sole suspect was set free.

Fose's mutilated body was discovered not far from her home in Durban Deep in early June. 

Speaking on behalf of the family, Fose's uncle, Mthobile Fose, said they did not hold any resentment towards Mnisi and never blamed him for her death.

"As a family, we are waiting for anything at this point. For now, what has happened has past and it will not change anything about our situation. But we will continue to search for the person who killed Likhona."

He added that the assurance from police and support from the community to continue the search for Fose's killers had given them new hope.