The court on Thursday revealed that Lindo Mhlongo has admitted that he raped and killed Zanokuhle Khumalo.
After the rape and murder case has dragged for months, Lindo Mhlongo, who residents at Makhanya village in Mpangeni, has finally told the cops that he indeed committed the crime.
The community have been looking for Lindo Mhlongo, unfortunately, they could not found him.
STORY BEHIND THE 7-YEAR-OLD ZANOKUHLE KHUMALO WHO WAS RAPED AND KILLED
What started as a blessed day for Zanokuhle Khumalo’s mother quickly turned into the worst day of her life.
After giving birth, she was eager to return home and introduce her newborn to her older daughter.
However, instead of a joyful family reunion, the seven-year-old Zanokuhle from Dumisani Makhaye village near Ngwelezane township, Empangeni, northern KZN, was missing.
Upon returning home, where she had left her daughter in her sister’s care, she discovered that Zanokuhle had vanished on Monday, 29 July.
The community, upon hearing of the young girl’s disappearance, launched a search to no avail.
A visiting neighbour, Sandile Mhlongo, who does not reside permanently in the area, learnt of the situation from his mother and immediately contacted the police.
“I contacted people in the police that I know, and they came. On Tuesday while they were still taking statements. One of the neighbours who have rooms renting them out in her house came with a shocking message from one of her tenants,” said Sandile.
The neighbour revealed that a tenant had sent her a message indicating the location of the missing child’s body.
“We didn’t waste time with the cops, we went to the room where the text said the body was in. it was sad, we found the lifeless body of a child under the bed stuffed in a brown paper bag,” he said.
Sandile mentioned that they suspect the child was sexually assaulted and strangled, but they are awaiting official confirmation.
“The suspect had run away but because I know lots of people who work in the private security sector. We started our underground search for him, and we found him in a Bed and Breakfast lodge and handed him to the local police,” said Sandile.
Zanokuhle’s mother has been in profound grief since returning from the hospital, crying herself to sleep nightly.
The family has requested privacy to process the tragedy and will speak to the media when ready.
Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the Empangeni police are investigating a murder case following the incident.
