THE house of a sangoma was set on fire on Tuesday, a community in Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg, following the discovery of the body of a child who was abducted while sleeping on Saturday.
Nonjabulwenhle Nzimande (9) who was studying Grade 4 at Nzuzweni Primary, is said to have been abducted by an unknown person in the early hours of Saturday from her home, while she and her younger siblings were sleeping.
It is said that his body was found in a bush not far from them on Tuesday, which is the place where the community has been looking since the news of his disappearance spread on Saturday.
His aunt, Ms. Sthando Nzimande recounting the incident, said the mother of the deceased (29), went to a party on Friday night, leaving her sister (32) and four children who were with the deceased.
It is said that although he had repeatedly asked his sister if there was no place he would go to, to ensure the safety of the children, he said that he would be there. However, it turns out that his friend came with the wine they drank, and when they finished it, they went out to the bar.
“The incident happened when they were gone, the children were sleeping alone. The one who was sleeping with the deceased said that he saw the father who took the deceased, and he went out the door with him. He said that he cried and hid in the room,” said Ms. Nzimande.
He said both the brothers noticed on Saturday morning that the child was missing.
It turns out that when sowing was asked if anyone had seen him, his shoes were found in front of the neighbor’s house, and when asked by those present, they lied on their backs and denied that they had seen the robber.
He said it was reported to the police, the deceased was searched everywhere but could not be found on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. He said even the police dogs couldn’t find him.
He revealed that there was a time when the police were called to search the neighborhood but the father there refused and concluded that one of the houses should be opened.
“Until the police left. Then after three hours, the councilor came back with the community to help themselves to the house that was not opened by the police, the father immediately gave the key to the councilor, telling him to open it and search until he gave up. Nothing was found,” he said.
He said it was on Tuesday, when the community met again in this house, he asked another man who lives there to tell the truth about what happened to the child. He revealed that he was still being asked questions when someone from the community was heard shouting, saying that there is a child.
“When his body was examined, it was found that he was strangled with the pants he was wearing around his neck, and his underwear was placed next to the body that he had stripped from below,” he said.
He said they don’t know if she was raped before she was killed. He pointed out that the neighbors’ spouses, including the witch doctor, as well as the man who was being questioned, were eventually taken by the police.
“We suspect that the child was abducted by one person but they killed him together. His mother is a witch doctor and people always say bad things about him. His father is always accused of killing people in the area,” he said.
He said that they want them to be locked up, not to be given bail, and he said that the community that is on fire has burned down the house and then said that you don’t need them anymore in the area.
He said that the situation in the family is bitter due to the incident, and the woman who was left with her children keeps blaming herself for leaving and leaving them alone, saying that if she had not left, the deceased would not have been killed.