A grim incident has shocked the Eastern Cape community as a 49-year-old man stands accused of the murder of his three-year-old niece. The accused appeared in the Bedford Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face the serious charge of murder.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, the tragic event unfolded on June 6 at around 9.40 pm. The child was in a local tavern with her mother when her uncle took her away.
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An hour later, the uncle returned alone. The child’s lifeless body was later found in the street in the Ndlovini location, with multiple cuts inflicted on her body.
The police swiftly arrested the 49-year-old uncle as the investigation progressed. Additional charges against him may be added, pending the post-mortem report. A case of child neglect has also been opened against the mother for allowing her child to be in such a vulnerable situation in the first place.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
Mene emphasized that such a brutal act against an innocent child underscores the urgent need to address crimes against women and children within our society.
“Such heinous acts are not only a breach of our laws but an insult to humanity. The protection of our children is paramount, and we will ensure that justice is served swiftly and firmly,” Mene stated.
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Lieutenant General Mene also highlighted the critical responsibility that parents and guardians have in safeguarding their children’s well-being.
The presence of a young child in a tavern is both concerning and unacceptable. Mene urged all parents to exercise greater care and judgment in their actions, emphasizing that negligence in this duty will not be tolerated.
The accused is scheduled to return to court on July 15, as the community awaits justice for the tragic loss of an innocent life.
