WATCH | Residents demand justice after missing nine-year-old girl found dead
The child disappeared on Friday after she was allegedly left at home with her siblings while their parents were away.
Residents of Ward 14 in Willowfontein are demanding justice after the body of a nine year old girl, who had been reported missing last week, was discovered in a nearby veld on Monday.
According to Ward 14 community assistant Mthobisi Mweli, the child disappeared on Friday after she was allegedly left at home with her siblings while their parents were away.
Mweli said residents launched an extensive search for the child over the weekend.
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“We searched throughout the area from Saturday, which is why it came as a shock that her body was found today in the same area where community members had already searched,” he said.
Angry residents gathered at the scene following the discovery and later set a house alight after claims circulated that the child’s shoes had been found inside the property.
Those allegations have not been confirmed by police.
Police and forensic investigators were still processing the scene at the time of publication, and no official statement had yet been issued regarding the circumstances surrounding the child’s death or any arrests.
Community member Silindokuhle Zuma said the incident had left residents traumatised and fearful for the safety of their children.
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There are many young children living in this community who could also have fallen victim to such a cruel act.
“I still cannot understand how the child was found in a place where we had been searching since Saturday. We want justice for the child and for everyone responsible to face the law,” said Zuma.
The investigation is ongoing
