A six-year-old girl from Mbombela, Mpumalanga, who was reported missing has been found dead and allegedly raped. Her body was discovered in a graveyard yesterday, Mpumalanga News reports.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the child was last seen on Monday evening.

“It is said that her father left her and her four-year-old sister at their home in Mataffin at about 20:40 to buy items from a nearby tuck-shop. He reportedly instructed the children to lock the shack for safety. When he returned, he found the door unlocked. The younger child was alone inside, and her sister was missing,” said Mdhluli.

He asked the younger girl where her sister was, but she said she did not know. A search was launched with the help of neighbours, but she was not found. The search continued the next day without success.

The matter was reported to the police in Nelspruit, and a missing person’s file was opened. Various police units were deployed to assist, but the girl remained missing.

“On the evening of June 27, police and paramedics received information about a child’s body discovered in the bushes. On arrival, the child was declared dead. Preliminary investigations suggest she was raped before she was killed,” said Mdhluli.

No arrests have been made. Police urge anyone with information that could assist in identifying the suspect(s) to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or to use the My SAPS App.

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