Community seeks revenge over toddler slaying

THE Pongola community has taken revenge after the brutal murder of a four-year-old boy in Ncotshane.

His mutilated body was found stuffed into a plastic bag at a local church on Saturday.

Not only did furious residents burn down the St John’s Church and the house belonging to the pastor on Monday, but a police task team arrested the pastor for the gruesome killing on Tuesday.

During an interview with the Zululand Observer, the boy’s uncle, Sakhile Ngubane, said a house belonging to a woman who sells sugarcane was also burnt to the ground.

She was suspected to be involved in the child’s slaying.

When the boy went missing last Wednesday, other children informed the police that he was called by ‘someone’ who sells sugarcane.

According to him, sugarcane vendors in the area are being questioned.

Ngubane said the family has not decided on a funeral date until the boy’s missing body parts are recovered.

Fifteen people were arrested for public violence and appeared in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

They were remanded in custody until 11 July for bail application.

Two juveniles aged 17 years were released on parent’s custody and warned to appear on the same day.

On Wednesday, KZN Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni urged members of the public to be calm and allow the police to do their work.

‘The community must not take the law into their own hands by destroying the property. They are putting innocent people in danger.

‘This uncalled for behaviour must stop because crucial evidence in a murder case might be tampered with.

‘Those who involve themselves in criminal activities will be arrested and charged accordingly.’ she said.

Acting KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has also strongly condemned the murder.

He expressed shock and sadness at the sickly manner in which the young boy was killed.

‘This murder is shocking and utterly disgusting.

‘How do you take a boy’s life in such a gruesome manner?

‘This represents the lowest decline of morals and Ubuntu.

‘A team of detectives is looking at all possible leads and will not rest until those responsible for this have been arrested,’ said Dhlomo.

Zululand District Municipality Mayor, Cllr Mpiyakhe Alson Hlatshwayo, announced that this district municipality will hold a prayer meeting at Ncotshane in Phongolo.