South Africa Shocked By Child Murder

Three men appeared in a packed South African court yesterday charged with murdering a four-year-old girl and gang-raping her nanny in a case that has caused outrage across the country.

Despite South Africa's high rates of violent crime, the killing of Makgabo Matlala last week has provoked unprecedented anger, not only at her alleged killers but also the police, who have been widely portrayed as inept.

Makgabo, the granddaughter of Bernard Ngoepe, one of the country's most prominent judges, was believed to have been kidnapped during a robbery at her family's home in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

Her nanny was beaten and gang-raped. A massive search for the girl and her kidnappers was launched across the Johannesburg area and scores of neighbours held a vigil outside the Matlala home.

More than 24 hours after the search began, the girl's half-naked body was found crammed under a bed at her home. Public opinion quickly turned against the police, demanding to know why they had not fully searched the home immediately.

The South African police chief, Jackie Selebi, publicly criticised his forces for what he described as "unprecedented levels of incompetence". From newspapers and radio talk shows to bus stops, South Africans questioned the ability of the police - badly-trained and poorly-paid - to rein in crime.

In court yesterday state prosecutors said the three suspects, who have not been identified, were found with mobile phones and other items stolen from the Matlala home. The three, all in their 20s, face charges of murder, rape and robbery.

The state prosecutor told the court that the men had been transferred to separate cells for their protection from other prisoners.

Women's rights activists demonstrated outside the courtroom.

"We are here to create awareness on women and child abuse. We want to see justice in this matter, this cannot be tolerated," one of the women, Grace Masheke, told the South African Press Association.

The case was postponed until March 23 for a bail hearing.