Police arrested a Durban mother who allegedly strangled and killed her three-year-old child on Tuesday.

Spokesperson for Durban Central SAPS, Captain Muzi Maphumulo, said the woman (33) was arrested at 20:00 at her residence on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street.

“She killed her daughter. She strangled her and hit her with a wooden spoon. She has two other children aged nine years and 18 months. Both are at a local mosque for safekeeping,” said Maphumulo.

He said the children’s father is currently in the United Kingdom.

“It is alleged that she killed the child because she was crying non-stop, and the father was not answering when the mother called,” said Maphumulo.

The suspect is expected to appear in court this week for murder charges.