The family of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly killed over an abortion by a boy believed to be her lover, has forgiven their daughter's killer.
Limpopo police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said they suspected the 17-year-old killed the girl after he apparently tried to force her to have an abortion.
"This came out during our preliminary investigations but we are still investigating further," Ngoepe said.
The teenager was arrested in connection with the murder of Dimakatso Tlaka after her body was discovered on top of a hill around the Motetema area on Tuesday.
When Sowetan visited the family's home in Dikgalaopeng village outside Jane Furse, Dimakatso's grieving mother Nika Tlaka was sitting on a sofa wrapped in a blanket.
She said her heart was broken over losing her daughter in such a horrific way.
Tlaka said she last saw Dimakatso when she left home for school on Monday morning to write her examinations.
She said she became worried when Dimakatso did not come home but thought she was at the neighbours' house where she used to hang out until late. "But she never came home that night, something she had never done before."
The next morning Dimakatso's battered body was discovered, her mother said she had been stoned to death.
Tlaka said she was surprised to see police vehicles and ambulances moving around the area that morning.
"When I heard that they had found a body of a girl in school uniform, I thought that it might be Dimakatso," she said.
Tlaka did not go to the scene because she did not feel strong enough.
But her worst fears were later confirmed by a relative who described to her how Dimakatso's face had been badly bruised.
"Dimakatso's death has hurt me deeply," she said.
Tlaka said she did not know the suspect or the fact that he was apparently in a relationship with her daughter.
She also knew nothing about the alleged pregnancy.
"I am hurt but I will forgive him. I think they should let him go. We have given him to God," Tlaka said.
She described Dimakatso as a friendly child who loved netball and did well at school.
Dimakatso's aunt Bashele Tlaka, 49, said she also forgave the 17-year-old even though she did not know him.
"I believe that he is also a child and as a parent I forgive him," she said.
Bashele said they were even willing to meet the boy's family. "They have done nothing wrong and we are willing to sit down with them and talk," she said.
The 17-year-old suspect appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court yesterday. The case was postponed to June 13 for further investigations while he remains in custody.
Ngoepe said investigations were ongoing while urging villagers to remain calm and allow the police to do their work.