A teenage boy from Mtwalume is on trial in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court for murder, attempted murder and attempted rape in two separate incidents.

In the murder case, the body of Sinethemba Ngcece Sibiya (6), who went missing in September 2023, was found near the Mfazazana River in Mtwalume. At the time, she was on her way home from Makhoso Primary School.

In the second case of attempted murder and attempted rape, a six-year-old girl (who cannot be named to protect her identity), who was also on her way home from school, was dragged into the bushes and attacked, also in Mtwalume in July 2024.

The accused was 16 years old at the time of the first incident, and 17 years old when he committed the second crime. As he was a minor, he cannot be named.

The surviving victim was found naked, had been strangled and struck on the head. On regaining consciousness, she ran to a neighbour’s house for help.

The mother of the survivor, who is now eight years old, testified in court on August 13. She explained the state her child was in when she was brought to her by the neighbours.

“She had blood on her head, which was running down her face. She was crying for help. She was only wearing her vest, and when we got to the scene we found her tracksuit, shoes and a rock with blood.”

The mother became emotional during her testimony.

The accused’s lawyer asked the mother if the boy was assaulted after the community caught him and if she could smell paraffin on him.

She responded that she did not see anyone assaulting the boy and could not smell anything on him.

“When the community caught him the day after the incident, I was called to come with my daughter so that she could identify the person, and she pointed him out. He also admitted that he did assault her and left her for dead in the bushes.”

According to the accused’s lawyer, the boy denies that he attacked the young girl and said that it was not him and that he is being confused with someone else.

The mother said she finds that strange because the boy’s aunt spoke to her during his initial appearances at Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court and apologised.

The case has been postponed to September 17 and 18.

While Sibiya’s case is now complete, sentencing will be done once the second case is finalised.

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