Diepsloot: South African police arrest five over murder of toddlers found dead in toilet
Angry protesters have gathered outside of the police station demanding the suspects be handed over to them
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South African police say they have arrested five men for the rape and murder of two toddlers whose bodies were found in a township toilet three days after they were reported missing.
The case has prompted angry protests by residents in the area where the slain children were found.
The mutilated bodies of the two girls aged three and two were discovered in a public toilet in the Johannesburg township of Diepsloot on Tuesday.
A man described by local media as the prime suspect was arrested overnight in another Johannesburg township after police issued an identikit picture and offered a 100,000 rand (£6,300) reward.
Angry protesters burning tyres outside of the local police station called for the suspect to be handed over to them so they could question him. Police responded by firing rubber bullets at the crowd.
The man is expected to be charged on Monday. Four other suspects face charges of kidnap, rape and murder, the South African Press Association reported on Friday.
The densely populated Diepsloot settlement is a shanty town where approximately half of the residents are unemployed.
President Jacob Zuma has condemned the killings, but urged residents not to take the law into their own hands.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments