DURBAN - The two girls from KwaZondela in Ulundi, northern KZN, were allegedly kidnapped by their stepfather when they went missing last Thursday, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development has revealed.
It was also alleged that the stepfather was separated from the children's mother.
Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza condemned the murder of the girls, Asimbonge Mbalenhle Shongwe, 12, and Sandakahle Sharon Manana, 7.
The department said that on March 4, Sandakahle's body was found with severe injuries and strangulation marks. Asimbonge's body was discovered two days later.
Their bodies were found in separate places, the department said.
The children were at King Mageba Primary School.
Khoza sent her condolences to the family of the children, neighbours, learners and teachers of the school.
“It is very painful that we continue to count the bodies of innocent children being murdered by heartless individuals in our province. It is really shocking and despicable that an old person can target defenceless children and kill them. That person didn't even listen to the pleas and cries for mercy from the children,” Khoza said.
She encouraged law enforcement agencies to cast their net even wider in order to catch the alleged perpetrator.
“Although we know that the alleged perpetrator wouldn't return the lives of these children, the police will have to find him to pay for his sins. It is very painful that we are living in a country where lives of humans are taken lightly. Killing an innocent child because of disputes between adults is no solution.”
Khoza said she was confident the investigators would track down the killer and ensure that the court handed down an appropriate sentence.
She also urged who might have information on the whereabouts of the alleged perpetrator to contact the police immediately.
The MEC had dispatched a team of social workers to visit the bereaved family and provide psychosocial support. The team is expected to spend more time with the family to help them deal with the impact of the incident.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said charges of murder and kidnapping were being investigated by Ulundi SAPS.
Mbele said it was alleged that on March 3, 2022, at 7pm, the girls were kidnapped by a known suspect in Ulundi.
Mbele said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.
Daily News