Police arrest relatives in the murder case of a five-year-old girl in Samora Machel

In a breakthrough, Western Cape Provincial Serious Violent Crime Detectives have made progress in investigating the murder of a five-year-old girl killed on Sunday in Sweet Home, Samora Machel.

Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “ The body of the girl was found with a stab wound to her neck in a dustbin in Duinefontein Road.”

He added, "Detectives traced leads to a relative of the victim, resulting in the arrest of a 35-year-old male and a 40-year-old female on murder charges. The investigation remains ongoing.

The suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on the mentioned charge.

Twigg urged anyone who possesses relevant information regarding the case to contact #CrimeStop at 08600 10111 to assist investigators.

In a similar incident, a disabled young girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed by her mother's boyfriend.

The victim's 28-year-old mother and the boyfriend, who is not the girl's biological father, face charges of murder, rape, and child neglect after her death on August 3 in Belma Way, Touws River.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwaka reported that the child sustained multiple injuries, including severe bruising, a fractured leg, and signs of sexual assault.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation,” Gwaka said.