A 7-year-old girl was found murdered in Delpark Ext 2, Delmas, yesterday (November 12). Little Thandolwethu Mahlangu’s mother, Ayanda Ngwenyama, reported her daughter missing on Tuesday. Ngwenyama told the police that Thandolwethu disappeared at around 18:00 on Monday.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, spokesperson for the police in Mpumalanga, the child allegedly went to her father’s house but did not return home.

The community searched throughout the night for the little girl, but could not find her.

At around 07:00 the following morning, Ngwenyama received a text message from an unknown number demanding R30 000, allegedly owed by the child’s father, in exchange for the child’s safety.

Col Ndubane said in a statement that the cell phone number used by the kidnappers was traced to the Botleng area.

Loan sharks in the vicinity were brought in for questioning, and several addresses linked to the investigation were visited, but with no success.

The child’s body was found at about 07:30 yesterday by a neighbour who was cleaning his yard. He noticed small legs protruding from underneath rubble behind a shack.

Ndubane said the suspects remain unknown at this stage, and a murder case has been opened.

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Police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could help in the investigation to contact the branch commander, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Dibakoane, on 079 268 0040, or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Information can also be submitted via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality, and callers may remain anonymous.

The acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of the young girl and has activated a 72-hour plan to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

“People have lost their sense of humanity. How can anyone kill an innocent young girl who had her whole future ahead of her? We will not rest until the suspect(s) are behind bars,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.