CAPE TOWN - Nokuthula Matyeseni and her boyfriend, Odwa Jack, made their first appearance at a fully packed courtroom in Khayelitsha on Friday.
The couple face rape and murder charges following the brutal killing of 7-year-old, Lolitha Kowa.
The couple were arrested after a sniffer dog traced a scent from the scene where Lolitha's body was found to blood stains found in and outside of their house.
Lolitha’s father says he feels disappointed at Matyeseni, as she stood in silence with the family when the child's body was found.
Lolitha's family and the community have slammed the police's handling of her disappearance and eventual murder.
READ: Two suspects to appear in court for the murder of Lolitha Kowa
They say the child could have been found, had the police gone out to look for her when she was reported missing.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, says they will monitor the case.
The couple will remain in custody until their next court appearance on the first of August