Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The Pakistani national accused of murdering a teenage girl remains in custody. Ahmad Zeeshan (38), an undocumented immigrant in South Africa, is reportedly facing additional charges of statutory rape, apart from murder. Lentswe has learned of allegations that Zeeshan has been in a sexual relationship with Desmonith (Dezzie) Cloete since early last year when she was only 15 years old. Zeeshan is accused of strangling the young girl in his Flamwood apartment on December 28. Her body was discovered on the bedroom floor after Zeeshan’s brother alerted the police to the murder. Her hands were tied behind her back, and a plastic bag was pulled over her head. Reports suggest that Zeeshan, who reportedly worked at a cellphone shop, was preparing to flee; his belongings were already loaded into a Bolt rental when police arrived at his residence.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselenyane, Zeeshan allegedly confessed the murder to his brother and asked for help to dispose of the body.
“The brother went to the police and told them about it. Zeeshan was then arrested at his apartment,” said Tselenyane.
Dezzie, a high school student, has reportedly been seen with the Pakistani national for some time and also stayed over at the apartment. According to a source who interacted with him earlier, she was introduced as a teacher in her twenties.
“I thought she was younger, but who am I to say? He is a good-looking guy and very fit. When he was at work and she was at the apartment, one hardly noticed her, and when he came home from work, they usually walked hand-in-hand to the new Checkers. They were a perfectly normal couple. I don’t know what went wrong in his head.”
It has since emerged that the teenager, who usually stayed with the older man on weekends, had told her parents she was visiting a friend. According to the police, the motive for the murder is unknown. Zeeshan has not yet made a confession. He appeared in court on January 8, and the case was postponed.
Dezzie was buried on Saturday, January 10. Her parents are inconsolable and are not yet ready to speak to the media.
The community has reacted with shock to the news of her death, holding several vigils in her memory.
