[WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS, INCLUDING IMAGES, THAT MAY UPSET SENSITIVE READERS INCLUDING CHILDREN].
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Social Development has condemned the brutal murder of an eight-month-old baby at Steadville area, in Ladysmith.
A man believed to be the child’s relative has since been arrested for the crime.
It is alleged that the suspect had an argument with one of the family members and fled with the child.
The child’s body was found later buried in a shallow grave, allegedly inside the suspect’s shack.
Social Development Spokesperson, Mhlabunzima Memela applauded the police for the arrest.
Memela says a team of social workers has been dispatched to provide psycho-social support to the child’s family.
“We are very shocked and disappointed about the murder of an eight-month-old baby in the area of Steadville. The MEC has sent a team of social workers to meet with the family. We find comfort that this man was arrested immediately after this horrible incident. We are hoping that [the] court will not grant this man bail since he will appear in court soon,” says Memela.
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Mother and nine-month-old killed in Limpopo
On Saturday, the deceased mother and her nine-month-old son who were allegedly killed by her spouse at Ha-Davhana village in Vuwani, Limpopo, were laid to rest.
Six-year old raped and killed in Limpopo
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Limpopo Social Development MEC, Nkakareng Rakgoale, said the court should not grant bail to a 28-year-old suspect who allegedly raped and strangled to death a six-year-old girl at Praktiseer township outside Burgersfort.
Boikgathatso Komape was allegedly lured into the suspect’s house where she was allegedly raped before being strangled on Friday.
The victim’s body was apparently found under a tree and covered with a T-shirt.
The matter was then reported to the police and the suspect was arrested.
