life prison rape robbery

A man was sentenced to life in prison for the rape or a 66-year-old woman and robbery.
Photo: Twitter / @SAPoliceService

MURDER: Man known to family beheads six-year old child

The 24-year old man has appeared in court to face a charge of murder after he allegedly beheaded a girl and left her body lying in a rondavel.

life prison rape robbery

A man was sentenced to life in prison for the rape or a 66-year-old woman and robbery.
Photo: Twitter / @SAPoliceService

A 24-year old man who allegedly beheaded a six year old girl appeared in the Estcourt Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of murder on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said that the man is alleged to have beheaded the child, Alwande Shabalala, who was known to him. 

“The matter was postponed to 14 December 2021, at the request of the accused’s legal representative, for arrangements for him to undergo mental assessment,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala earlier said that the Ntabamhlophe SAPS had received a report about a girl who had been killed in the KwaSobabili area on 25 November 2021. She said police had found the beheaded body of the girl lying in a rondavel. SAPS Search and Rescue Unit police officers later found her head in a river.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza condemned the brutal murder.

Khoza said that information on what led to the brutal murder of the child was still sketchy. However, it had been alleged that the suspect had a confrontation with the child’s uncle before the murder.

Murder suspect spotted with plastic bag dripping blood

He allegedly left the home and secretly returned and entered the rondavel in which the child was sleeping. He was only noticed running out with a plastic bag dripping blood.  

Upon investigation by family members, they found Alwande’s beheaded body, with the head missing, Khoza said.

“We condemn with the strongest terms possible such a barbaric act of this heartless criminal who murdered an innocent child. The gruesome circumstances of this case, where it is said that the child’s head was separated from the body shows that the suspect had planned his act,” she said.

“This incident occurred a few hours after the launch of 16 Days for No Violence Against Women and  Children campaign. We know that the majority of the children and women are abused and murdered by those close to them who are supposed to provide protection. We have to work together to end this scourge,” she said. 

Khoza applauded police for their swift response and arrest of the child murder suspect. She said a team of social workers had been assigned to assist the family.