VEREENIGING – A suspect in the murder of 23-month-old toddler Retshidisitswe Mahlangu has made a brief appearance at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court. Mahlangu was brutally killed on January 12.
The gruesome incident happened at the Vereeniging Old Hospital popularly known as 21, where she and her family resided.
Following the incident, the toddler’s grandmother Paulinah Mahlangu said that the toddler was found with a knife still stuck in her head and her stomach cut open.
Paulinah explained that her daughter Nthabiseng Mahlangu left the child with a friend when she went to run errands in town.
“This is something she and her friend usually do; they babysit for one another. Nthabiseng was surprised to see the friend in town, and when she questioned her about the whereabouts of the kids, the friend said that she left the kids behind.”
Paulinah said Nthabiseng hurried back and found that her toddler was missing. A search for the toddler ensued an her body was later discovered near other vacant rooms on the premises.
Paulina said the incident broke them as a family. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a murder case docket was opened for investigation.
Following the arrest of the suspect, Paulinah said she was hopeful that the family will get closure.
“We have been waiting for far too long to get the answers we need as to what happened to our child. We feel like the police failed us because this case has taken so long to be resolved.
“We understand that the child is never coming back, but at least we will get peace that the perpetrator of this heinous crime is behind bars.”
Police spokesperson Captain Teboho Lephoto confirmed the arrest of the suspect.The case has been postponed to September 20.
