The father of a five-year-old girl who was murdered in 2019, along with his girlfriend, was sentenced in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on August 4.

Bheki Sphamandla Hlope (35) and Sbongile Eunice Shongwe (28) was arrested on March 18 2019 for the girl’s murder.

The incident allegedly took place at the house of the father.

It was first reported that the girl died as a result of falling from her bed, after suffering a seizure, as she was reportedly suffering from epilepsy.

However, after Davel police received information from community members, Sgt Sipho Jeremia Ndlovu opened a case of murder.

He took the child’s body to a local private mortuary for a post-mortem to be conducted.

The results of the post-mortem revealed that the child had bruises all over her body.

The couple first appeared in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on April 5.

According to Const Portia Dhladhla, spokesperson for Davel police, Sgt Ndlovu who led the investigation did an excellent job in assuring a conviction.