Nkanyiso Hadede (27) was handed down three life sentences for the murder and rape (two counts) of Emihle Vuyi Nyawose (7) of Mtwalume, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last Wednesday.
Emihle was murdered on February 12.
Hadebe went on trial on Monday last week, after abandoning two bail applications at the Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court.
Residents had gathered in Mtwalume to support the Nyawose family, and anxiously waited to hear of the court proceedings, as he testified how he had killed Emihle.
Members of Women of Mtwalume (WoM) and other similar organisations wore black outfits and also joined the Nyawose family in court, and witnessed Hadebe’s testimony.
He detailed the gruesome murder of how he covered the little girl’s body with soil in a bush not far from her home in Sibanini, Nomakhazane area, Mtwalume.
According to KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, Hadebe had pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, rape and murder of his seven year old niece, stating that he had raped Emihle twice before he murdered her.
The kidnapping charge was subsequently withdrawn.
“In his plea, Hadebe said that on the day of the incident, he had been working at the child’s granny’s house, digging a pit toilet. At some point, the pick handle broke and the granny advised him that she would borrow another pick from her neighbour. He then asked her for money to buy cigarettes from the nearby shop. The child was also walking to the shop to buy airtime and chips for her mother.
“On their way back he told the child to follow him and they will take an alternate route home. As they were walking, he decided that he would rape her, and raped her twice. When he was done, the child told him that she was going to report him to her granny, Zodwa Nyawose and at this point he decided to kill her, and strangled her until she stopped moving,” Ramkisson-Kara explained.
The accused further detailed how he disposed the girl’s body, stating that he covered her body with some sand before returning to the Nyawose home where he was questioned on her whereabouts, and he said he had left her at the shop.
Hadebe only confessed to his actions after police were called, and took him in for questioning.
A devastated women and children’s advocate, and chairperson of (WoM), Nombuso Sibisi, said the entire courtroom got emotional after Hadebe provided details of the incident.
“The family and community members could not hold back their tears, some of them had to be rushed outside after he described what he had done.
“He tried blaming his actions on alcohol as he said he had consumed some before going to the Nyawose home,” added Sibisi
Sibisi said that it was good that the court said he deserved a harsh sentence.
“He admitted that his actions were barbaric and he did not deserve to return to society. I urge parents, mothers and fathers not to hide the wrongdoings of their children in the community. Let us not support our children, but get them help and report them to the police to prevent such bad incidents from happening again, Sibisi concluded.
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