Grief and anger grip Willowfontein after missing girl’s body found in veld
They were confronted with the devastating sight of her small body lying on her back in the veld, partially covered by long, dry grass.
Grief and anger swept through Willowfontein in Pietermaritzburg after the body of a missing nine-year-old girl was discovered in the veld that residents had tirelessly searched for days.
The discovery of Nonjabulwenhle Nzimande’s body on Tuesday morning left the community shattered, with heartbroken relatives and furious residents demanding justice.
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The area was filled with the sounds of mourning. Family members wept openly, clinging to one another, while residents stood in disbelief, questioning how the child’s body was found in a place they insisted had already been searched repeatedly alongside police K9 units.
The child’s aunt, Sthando Nzimande, struggled to speak as she described the family’s pain.
We are shocked and deeply hurt. She went missing in the early hours of Saturday after someone entered the house where she was sleeping with other children. We searched with police everywhere, even at the nearby mountain where she was found, but found nothing.
The family had held on to the hope that Nonjabulwenhle would be found alive.
Instead, they were confronted with the devastating sight of her small body lying on her back in the veld, partially covered by long, dry grass.
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It is suspected she was strangled with her own trousers, which were still around her neck when she was found by residents who had refused to give up the search.
“We thought maybe we would find her injured somewhere. But to find her like this … it is too much,” said Nzimande, visibly broken and unable to stand without support.
The child’s mother, who was not at the scene, was said to be devastated and remained at home.
When the child was taken from the house on Friday night, she was allegedly alone with other young children.
When The Witness arrived at the scene, thick smoke hung in the air as enraged residents set fire to two houses belonging to men they suspected of involvement in the child’s murder.
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Community members claimed the child’s shoes had been found at one of the homes, fuelling their anger. The two men had reportedly been taken in for questioning on Monday but were later released.
Firefighters attempting to extinguish the blaze were blocked by residents, who watched as the flames consumed the houses.
Ward assistant Mthobisi Mweli said the tragedy had shaken the entire community.
We searched from Saturday morning without success. What shocked everyone is that she was found in a place we had already searched. That is what caused such anger. We do not condone the burning of houses, but people are overwhelmed with pain.
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For many residents, the tragedy has left a lasting sense of fear.
“There are many young children here, and now we are terrified for them,” said Silindokuhle Zuma, who joined the search efforts. It is difficult to even speak about what happened. We want justice for this little girl. Whoever did this must face the full might of the law.”
Police have confirmed that a murder case has been opened.
uMgungundlovu police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained under investigation.
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“Two suspects were questioned, but no arrests have been made at this stage,” said Gwala, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands.
Burning property and acts of vigilantism are unlawful and may hinder the investigation. We appeal to the community to allow police to do their work.
Meanwhile, police are also investigating a separate murder after the body of a woman believed to be about 25 years old was found with multiple stab wounds in the Pietermaritzburg CBD on Saturday night.
The body was discovered shortly before 11 pm at the corner of White Lane and Prince Alfred Street.
She was wearing a yellow jacket, a striped shirt and grey shorts.
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Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward as investigations into both cases continue.
