A family from Protea Glen, Soweto, is looking for answers after four-year-old Keeya Mbulawa, who was found unconscious in a suitcase, died in hospital.

The young girl passed away on Wednesday after spending four days in the intensive care unit.

According to the family, the child was last seen playing with other children in the yard.

When her mother, Nolukhanya, realised her daughter had gone missing, the family frantically searched for the child.

Gruesome discovery

The search led to the gruesome discovery of her tiny body in a suitcase belonging to a woman identified as a Swati national, who was renting at the same property.

Keeya was found with a cloth in her mouth, with her hands and feet tied and a black cable tie around her neck.

“The suspect was attempting to leave with this big suitcase when the mother of the missing child demanded to search it. The suitcase was opened and the missing child fell out of the suitcase. She was unconscious. The child was rushed to hospital where, on close inspection, it was discovered that she was also tightly fastened with a cable around her neck,” explains Jesias Serongwane, the grandfather.

It is understood the suspect fled the scene and is still at large.

Case being investigated

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that an additional charge was added to the kidnapping charge.

“Police can confirm that a case of murder has been added after a four-year-old victim died in hospital.”

He said a hunt is underway for the suspect and appealed to residents who might have information to come forward.

“The case has been assigned to a seasoned investigating officer from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. We cannot divulge more information as that might compromise the investigation.”

Justice sought

Serongwane told Soweto Urban News that they know little about the suspect. “The landlord has also not been co-operating and not met with the community,” he claims.

The grandfather said the family is struggling to come to terms with Keeya’s death. “The parents of the deceased are still so young and this has been a huge blow, especially because of the manner in which she died. The fact that she stayed so many days in hospital, we were hoping the little girl was going to pull through,” he added.

According to an appointed watching brief [a person who monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the case] representing the family, Advocate Miller Moela, the matter has been reported to Interpol.

“We want justice. The family wants to see the suspect arrested and [if guilty] facing the full might of the law for the crimes she has committed,” he told the newspaper.