***THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS, WHICH MAY OFFEND SENSITIVE LISTENERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN . . . ***
The family of Nhlayiseko Ngobeni (2) who was raped and murdered at Rwanda village in Nwamitwa in Limpopo wants justice.
Nhlayiseko Ngobeni’s lifeless body was found on Thursday afternoon in the bushes, a day after she had been reported missing. No one has been arrested for the crime yet.
Her mother, Lizzy Maluleke says she is struggling to come to terms with the passing of her child in such a brutal manner.
Two-year-old Nhlayiseko was last seen alive on Wednesday afternoon. The toddler and her mother were visiting the home of the mother’s boyfriend.
Nhlayiseko was last seen when her mother left her eating while she went to fetch water at a nearby tap. When Maluleke returned, the toddler had disappeared. Community members started a search party which stopped at midnight without success.
Raped and strangled
The little girl’s brutalized lifeless body was found in the bush the following day. It appears Nhlayiseko had been raped and then strangled to death.
Maluleke says she is distraught.
“I am deeply hurt by what happened to my child when the police discovered her body it was in a very bad state, her legs were broken, and she was strangled, blood was coming out of her mouth and nose I really can’t come to terms with what I saw.” says Maluleke.
Nhlayiseko’s father, Nyiko Ngobeni says he wants police to act swiftly to arrest the perpetrator.
Ngobeni adds, “We want the perpetrator to be arrested and be given a harsh sentence because what happened to our child is really bad we are struggling to accept but we want the police to act swiftly to arrest those involved.”
Some community members in Nwamitwa say they now fear for their children’s safety after what happened to Nhlayiseko.
“What happened here is bad we were called as neighbours after the child went missing, we tried to assist in searching for the child but she was found dead as parents ourselves we are scared for our children as this might also happen to our kids.” say residents.
Manhunt launched
Police spokesperson, Motlafela Mojapelo says investigations are continuing.
“The police in Letsetele, outside Tzaneen have launched the manhunt for a suspect who raped and killed a two year child at Nwamitwa village. The child was reportedly left alone by her mother and was not found when she returned. Search and rescue team of the South African Police Service was activated, and sadly, the tiny body of the child was found in the bushes next to the village. Cases of rape and murder were opened, and anyone with information may contact Sergeant Isaac Raseale on 0766180899 or the crime stop number 0860010111.” Mojapelo says.
Police say they are following three leads that might lead to the arrest of a suspect.
