Justice was served when the stepfather of raped and murdered 10-year-old Lindiwe Ndwandwe was sentenced to two life terms in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on May 28.
The young girl was on her way to a nearby tuck shop on January 28 when she bumped into her stepfather. He dragged her to an abandoned house in the Efefe area of Nongoma, where he raped her. It is believed that the girl threatened to expose the accused, making him agitated. He strangled her to death and then concealed her body in an old toilet before going back home.
The girl’s mother got worried when her daughter did not return from the shop. Together with the stepfather, she started searching for Lindiwe. A missing persons case was then opened at Nongoma police station. A few days later, on February 6, a member of the community noticed a foot protruding from an old toilet and immediately alerted the police. The body that was found was identified as that of the missing young Lindiwe.
A case of murder and rape was opened by police.
Detectives received information that the girl was once sexually violated by her stepfather in 2018 and that he threatened to kill her should she tell anyone. On being questioned, the 42-year-old confessed to killing his 10-year-old stepdaughter.
He made several court appearances until he was sentenced.
“We all have an obligation to protect children from harmful people and we shouldn’t turn a blind eye when we receive information of any criminal act happening within our community. Perpetrators should be reported and charged for their wrongdoings. We are pleased with the sentence handed down to the evil stepfather who used his power to abuse the young girl. Her soul will be at peace knowing justice was served,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula.

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