A 23-year-old man suspected to have kidnapped, raped and murdered an eight-year-old girl, appeared at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

According to a police statement the suspect, Linco Believe Makhubela was arrested on Sunday, at his hideout in Sabie, following a probe launched by police after the disappearance of the child, Nokubonga Nonyane.

“Nokubonga was last seen while playing with her peers on Friday, 08 June 2018, at Mahushu until when her lifeless body was found dumped in a ditch, on Monday morning, 11 June 2018,” said the statement.

Makhubela was remanded in custody until July 27, 2018, pending further investigation.