Police are investigating a double murder in the Ritavi policing area, following the discovery of two bodies yesterday.

In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said a six-year-old girl’s body was discovered in Lusaka village, while a 28-year-old man’s body was found at Petanenge village.

“Police found the body of the child with brutal neck injuries and the man appeared to have been stoned to death. Preliminary police investigations revealed that the girl was sent to fetch some oranges from her grandmother’s home, but never reached her,” Mojapelo explained.

He added that the family, assisted by residents in the area, started searching for the girl. “They received information that the girl was last seen with the man, and then proceeded to his house. They reportedly found him hiding inside his house,” Mojapelo explained.

The man reportedly told the residents and family that he raped the girl and thereafter killed her, to conceal the evidence.

“The man took the group to the place where he hid the body. The body was found hidden under some shrubs,” Mojapelo said and added that the man was thereafter reportedly stoned to death by Petanenge villagers.

A case of murder as a result of vigilantism was opened.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said the rape and murder of the girl is “devastating” and she urged parents to take extra measures to protect their children.

She also plead with residents to work closely with police, instead of taking the law into their own hands.