A boy, aged 17, appeared in the Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week in connection with an attack on a six-year-old girl in Makhoso in Mtwalume.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said: “Hibberdene police are investigating a case of attempted murder after a six-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by two unknown suspects while walking home on July 9. A preliminary investigation led to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect who has appeared in court.”
Community members, a local forum and non-profit Women of Mtwalume (WoM) protested outside the court, saying that the suspect should not get bail.
The mother of the victim said that her daughter was on her way home from school when she was snatched and taken into bushes.
“Her clothes were removed, and she was strangled and hit on the head. My daughter said she heard her attackers saying that she was dead, and they left.”
She said her daughter got up and ran to a neighbour who brought her home.
“We took her to a clinic for a check-up, and with God’s grace, she only had a head injury.”
Deputy chairperson of WoM, Bongekile Sithole, said things seem to be getting worse in Mtwalume.
It is alleged that the teenager is also linked to the rape and murder of Sinethemba Ngcece Sibiya (8).
Families of both victims were not allowed inside court to hear the proceedings.
The Sibiya family was furious and emotional once proceedings were over, as they had waited outside for hours.
The MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, was allowed inside court with the suspect’s family.
Shinga said that because both the victim and suspect are minors, they have to be protected, hence, no one was allowed inside.
The case has been postponed to July 29, and the suspect remains in custody.
According to Shinga, the suspect was charged with more than one case, however, she could not comment further.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
