Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of murdered 10-year-old Masego Kgomo, at a service held at the Soshanguve Mini Stadium, north of Pretoria. Kgomo disappeared on New Years Eve and was subsequently found murdered after one of the suspects pointed out her body to police.

People came from all walks of life united by pain and anger at the loss of an innocent life. It was not only Masego's death that has shaken the community but also the circumstances leading up to it. Her mutilated body was found in a dense clump of bushes near Soshanguve's train station.

For Masego's family, the pain is unbearable. “I was disappointed when she was found dead - I became angry with God for allowing such cruelty to happen to an innocent child - but I remembered that also Jesus was killed for nothing,” says Masego’s sister, Kagiso.

Five suspects are in jail for Masego's murder and kidnapping, including a 14 year-old boy, who is being kept at a place of safety. The youngster’s murder has sparked outrage in the community with many saying: “The court should impose the harshest sentence possible, to the perpetrators of this barbaric act".

"There is a firm commitment from the Ministry of Justice that this case will be followed very closely to ensure that it is successfully prosecuted,” says Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disability Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.

Government has called for an urgent meeting with traditional healers to discuss measures to be taken to stop muti murders. The call comes amid speculation that Masego could have been a victim of a muti murder.