CAPE TOWN - MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BURNING & BEATING GIRLFRIEND'S 1 YEAR OLD BABY

One-year-old Asheeqah Scott, who had burns to her legs and arms and bruises all over her body, was declared brain dead in hospital

Cape Town police have arrested 36-year-old man who allegedly burnt and beat his girlfriend’s one-year-old daughter.

The girl later died.

It is believed the suspected drug addict was arrested at his workplace but no further details are available.

He is expected to make his first appearance at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a charge of murder.

It’s alleged that he beat little Asheeqah Scott to death and burnt her with cigarettes or a tik lolly on Saturday at his home in Kolossie Street, Roosendal, Delft, while he was babysitting her.

The child’s mother, Shakiera Scott, 27, left her with the suspect while she cleaned her house next door.

Relatives took Asheeqah to hospital hours later, after Scott discovered she could not breathe and that her lips were burnt.

Asheeqah, who had burns to her legs and arms and bruises all over her body, was declared brain dead and died on Sunday in hospital.

Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana explained the original inquest docket has been changed to murder following the suspect’s arrest.

“ A case of murder is under investigation and the inquest was changed to a murder case,” she said.

“A 36-year-old man was arrested [on Tuesday] and he will appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court [Thursday].

Asheeqah’s angry aunt, Janap Jacobs, 41, said on Wednesday: “I wish I could have gotten him before the police did, to do what he did to Asheeqah.

“We cannot stop people from taking the law into their own hands because if we had to get hold of him....” she added, going silent.

Jacobs says her heart breaks every time she thinks how the tiny girl suffered.

Scott said that her boyfriend was on drugs, and that she often left her child with him. But she insisted the suspect “showered the toddler with love” and had never harmed her.

VIA - iol.co.za