A man appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court today after he was arrested for the murder of Nhlalwenhle Magwaza.

Nhlalwenhle (7) was reported missing on November 23 when she failed to return home after going to the tuck shop, reports the South Coast Sun.

Dawn Gounden of Renegades Search and Rescue and the spokesperson for Nhlalwenhle’s family, says the accused allegedly confided to another individual about what he had done.

“Upon hearing the information about the crime, the confidante alerted the police. The alleged perpetrator is related to the child. On the day she went missing, Nhlalwenhle left her home and walked to a nearby tuckshop with family members, who then walked part of the way back home with her,” she says.

Gounden explains Nhlalwenhle was left not far from her home, with the expectation that she would arrive home safely but tragically, this was the last time her family saw her alive.

“An extensive search operation led by the police with the community’s assistance drew a blank, but after he was arrested on [Thursday], the accused led the police to a nearby river where he pointed out Nhlalwenhle’s charred remains.”

During the court appearance it was decided that the accused will undergo assessments by a district surgeon and a psychologist. The case has been postponed.

Nhlalwenhle’s funeral details had not been finalised at the time of publishing.

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