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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has condemned the senseless murder of nine-year-old Nonjabulwenhle Nzimande from Willowton, Pietermaritzburg.

The girl, whose body was discovered in the veld on Tuesday after she was reported missing, was left with other children at night when intruders abducted her before murdering her in the nearby bushes.

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Morolong, who visited Nonjabulonhle’s family in Willowfonteni on Thursday morning, said it was unacceptable that “the life of a young child was ended for no apparent reason”.

“We call on law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that her killers are brought to justice,” he said.

The deputy minister was accompanied by Transport MEC Sifiso Duma, uMgungundlovu District Mayor Mzi Zuma, Msunduzi Mayor Mzi Thebolla, Mpofana Mayor Maureen Magubane, Mkhambathini Mayor Nhlakanipho Ntombela and Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo.

According to Willowfontein community members, the child’s shoes had been found at a home in the area. Fuelled by anger, some community members then set the house alight.

Firefighters were called in to extinguish the blaze at the home of the two men, who were reportedly taken in for questioning on Monday, but were later released.

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Duma said the provincial government was standing with the Nzimande family as it deals with the trauma of losing a child in such a violent manner.