Family friend vows support for baby Nikita’s mother as murder case returns to court

A close family friend of the slain four-year-old baby Nikita says they will continue supporting the child’s mother throughout the court case following the child’s death in Eldorado Park.

Her parents have remained in custody since her lifeless body was discovered in August last year.

Nikita was found inside the family’s one-bedroom shack after neighbours reported hearing distressing sounds coming from the home. When the child’s father allegedly refused to open the door for neighbours who attempted to check on her, police were contacted.

The child was still alive when emergency responders removed her from the home, but she later died from her injuries a day later at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

The father was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, assault, and sexual abuse relating to the death of his daughter while she was under his care.

The child’s mother was also arrested, and her case was combined with her partner’s docket.

She faces charges for allegedly failing to report the abuse to authorities.

The couple made their first appearance at the Johannesburg High Court, where the matter was postponed to allow the father’s legal team time to consult with him.

Following the court proceedings, the mother’s former employer and close family friend, Russel Thomas, told EWN that he believes the child’s mother had been manipulated by her partner and his family.

Thomas claims the mother had previously withdrawn a case against the accused after allegedly being pressured by him and his relatives.

“There was a case where it says that she withdrew the case. But she was under duress from him and his family. They even promised that he was going to marry her,” said Thomas.

He added that the family had long been concerned about the relationship, alleging that the child’s father struggled with drug use and had shown abusive and erratic behaviour.

While reflecting on the events leading up to the child’s death in August 2025, Thomas said he and his family remain committed to supporting the mother.

“If I believed she had anything to do with this, I would never have come to support her,” he said. “She is not related to me, but I believe the truth will come out.”

Thomas said he has attended every court appearance and continues to visit the mother regularly.

The matter has been postponed to 19 March for further proceedings.