A woman who kidnapped her neighbours’ daughter, demanded ransom, and later murdered her was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Durban High Court yesterday.

Siphumelele Mzimba (10) was reported missing in July 2019 after she went to a hairdresser near her home, but never reached her destination. Later that day, her parents received a message demanding a ransom of R20 000.

Pinetown Cluster communications officer, Captain Bongumusa Manqele says the Pinetown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit (FCS) members were busy with their investigation around the suspect’s house when they detected a smell coming from a nearby bush.

Mzimba’s body was found in a bush in Nazareth, Pinetown on July 4, 2019. Her father identified the body as that of his daughter.

Zandile Nsele (43) was arrested shortly thereafter.

She was sentenced to six years for kidnapping, three years for attempted extortion, life imprisonment for murder and 12 years for contravention of the National Health Act.

“All counts are to run concurrently,” says Manqele.