Suspect arrested for murder of six-year-old in Umhlali
DURBAN: 2 June 2020 – On Sunday evening, 31 May 2020, police at Umhlali received a report of the kidnapping of a six-year-old child within their police precinct. The mother of the child reported to the police that she was traveling on the Glendale Road near Shayamoya with her two children aged six(06) and fourteen (14) when the kidnapping occurred.
According to the mother of the child, when she approached a speed hump near Shayamoya, an unknown man opened the door of her vehicle and snatched the six-year-old who was sleeping on the rear seat. She fled from the scene and reported the matter to the police. After an intensive investigation, a 42-year-old woman was taken in for questioning by police yesterday.
Detectives enlisted the services of the Umhlali Search and Rescue Unit to assist in the search for the missing child. Following an arduous operation, the body of the missing child was located in a sugarcane field in Riet Valley.
Police detained the suspect at Umhlali police station and she will be charged for murder. She is expected to appear at the Umhlali Magistrates Court on tomorrow.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, commended police officers involved in the operation for the breakthrough. “We treat all crimes against women and children very seriously and were extremely concerned when allegations of kidnapping surfaced.
We are disappointed that we could not find the missing child alive, however, we will do everything that is within our control to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book,” he said.
Missing 6 year old girl found dead just outside Glendale https://t.co/QPmvkOHECO#ArriveAlive #MissingGirl #FoundDead @IPSSRescue pic.twitter.com/pyo6X83SNm
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 2, 2020
