Teen linked to toddler’s murder in court
The media and public were not allowed inside court as the girl is a minor.
A teenage girl from KwaMasinenge believed to be linked to the murder of Phumelela Qoboshiyane (2), who was found beheaded in Mkholombe last week, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning this week.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a 16-year-old girl was handed over at Port Shepstone police station by her mother last Friday.
“She appeared in court on Monday on a charge of murder,” he added.
Furious Mkholombe residents came out in their numbers to protest outside court.
However, the media and public were not allowed inside the court, as the girl is a minor.
As she had no family members present in court, she appeared again yesterday (Wednesday) after the investigating officer was told to ask her mother to be present.
It is believed that Phumelele was playing outside with other children when he was lured by a woman who asked him to go with her to buy chips.
She then handed him to another woman who is believed to have killed the boy.
When his family realised that he was missing, they informed the community, and a search started.
Sometime later, they received information about a woman who had recently moved to the area and had been seen with the boy.
The community located the woman’s shack and found Phumelele’s body stuffed in a 20 litre bucket and his head wrapped in paper and cloth in a plastic bag.
After the boy’s body parts were found, a woman was allegedly killed by community members. Police have opened a separate murder case.
Phumelele’s funeral will be held in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, this Saturday.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
