The man who last week pleaded guilty to kidnapping, raping and murdering a seven-year-old girl was today sentenced to life behind bars, at the high court sitting at Mtubatuba.

On July 29, the 33-year-old Mhlongo lured young Zanokuhle Khumalo into his rental room at Dumisani Makhaye Village, outside Empangeni, where he raped then murdered her.

Presiding officer Madam Justice Elise-Marie Bezuidenhout sentenced Lindokuhle Christopher Mhlongo to five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, and life terms for rape and murder.

The sentences, which were greeted with loud cheers from the gallery and those outside court showing support to the Khumalos, will run concurrently.

The sentences were also accepted by the family who said they could, however, never bring their daughter back to life.

The investigator officer, Sergeant Sibusiso Ngwenya, said he is happy about the sentences because justice has been served, but acknowledged that the Khumalos have lost their child forever.

In a statement pleading guilty, Mhlongo told the court that after the child had died he wrapped her in a plastic bag, placed her in a bag and put that underneath his bed and left the room.

The court also heard from Mhlongo that he confessed his crimes to his landlady the next day, telling her where Zanokuhle’s body would be found.