Classmates describe home life of girl slain by dad (Delft, South Africa)

We've posted on this murder before. The classmates of this girl have a valid point to make about child abuse and domestic violence. For all the times that the media wastes words quoting the Clueless Neighbors ("Gosh, he seemed like a nice guy to me"), they could have been talking to classmates and friends of the child victim. More often than not, they know what's going on, especially when they're teens. But authorities and newspapers don't listen to kids, do they?

Unfortunately, the clueless neighbor "nice guy" line gives the impression that murder and violence just come out of the blue with no warning. Very often, people closer to the victims have a much sharper perspective on what's been going on long before someone's life is lost. Kudos to reporter Themba Boyi for seeking out the kids WHO KNOW.

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=20950

Classmate describe’s slain girl’s home life
Themba Boyi 27 Minutes Ago

A classmate of a Delft teenager, allegedly beaten to death by her father, has told a harrowing tale of the girl’s abuse.The body of 15-year-old Ncebakazi Mpokeli was found at a house in the area last week.

The teen’s father allegedly beat her to death with an electric wire.

He is expected to apply for bail next week after he appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Dressed in her charcoal school pants and green jacket, the diminutive youngster described her dead classmate’s home life as troubled.

She claimed Mpokeli would keep to herself whenever asked about her home life.

A group of irate Delft residents gathered outside the court to express their anger at the incident.

They say they are furious a small child had to suffer at the hands of her own father.