Siphesihle Gumede (26) was arrested and appeared in the Volksrust District Court on August 20, facing charges of murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and defeating the ends of justice.

According to a report compiled by Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane from the office of the provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga, Gumede was arrested in connection with the murder of 11-year-old Sindile Minky Gule.

A passerby discovered Sindile’s body in Mahhowane, Volksrust, more than two days after her disappearance. Ndubane said Sindile had been sent to purchase electricity at a nearby filling station on August 17 but never returned. Her family then opened a missing persons case.

Sindile’s body had multiple injuries on her face and bruises on her neck, indicating that the child had been strangled. Ndubane said the motive for this brutal killing is unknown at this stage.

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