Baby knifed twice in neck

Cape Town - 120415 - 1 year and 4 month of toddler Asanele Mzimkhulu was found dead in a shack that was occupied by a family member. The man has since been arrested and will appear in Court on Monday. the child was stabbed with a knife and a screw driver. - Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Cape Town - 120415 - 1 year and 4 month of toddler Asanele Mzimkhulu was found dead in a shack that was occupied by a family member. The man has since been arrested and will appear in Court on Monday. the child was stabbed with a knife and a screw driver. - Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Published Apr 16, 2012

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A relative of a 17-month-old girl found dead under a bed in Heinz Park in Nyanga has been arrested in connection with her murder.

The 39-year-old man is due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday in Heinz Park after police found the body of Asanele Mzimkhulu wrapped in a blanket under a bed in his shack.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander said a blood-stained knife was found in the shack, lying next to the little girl.

The suspect’s shack is in the yard of the girl’s home.

“The preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased was not raped and that the cause of death was due to stabbing,” said Filander.

Asanele was stabbed twice in the neck and she had a bump on her head.

Sarah Mzimkhulu, 38, Asanele’s mother, could barely speak when the Cape Argus visited her home on Sunday.

“I couldn’t even look at him when the police arrested him,” she said.

“He loved my children so much, he loved playing with them. I always used to leave her (Asanele) in his care, and he had never done anything to her as far as I know,” said Sarah.

Sarah said she could not believe that her daughter was dead.

“I’m so hurt, this is disgusting. I don’t want him anywhere near me.

“I’m going to miss everything about my child – the way she laughed, those small eyes,” said a tearful Sarah.

The toddler was left in the care of her 12-year-old sister, Sisipho Mzimkhulu, while Sarah went to the unveiling of a family tombstone in the Phase 1 section of Heinz Park.

It was a sombre scene with the Mzimkhulu family when the girl’s aunt, Nozuko Mzimkhulu, 22, told how Asanele had been found.

The suspect had been around at the time. Sisipho had gone outside and when she returned Asanele was gone.

“She went inside to look for her sister but the house was empty. She said all the baby’s clothes and the nappy she was wearing were on the floor in the room,” said Nozuko.

Red-eyed from constant crying, Sisipho could barely speak.

Sisipho, her brother Sibusiso, 6, and their cousin Lisakhanya, 5, searched the house for the toddler but could not find her.

Sibusiso ran to his aunt Cikizwa’s house to tell her the baby was missing.

Sarah said: “By that time my sister and I were on our way back from the unveiling. We got the news and started looking for the baby.

“We tried to open the shack but it was locked. Bomkazi Mini, a neighbour, borrowed a hammer from another neighbour to break the lock. We searched all around the shack but couldn’t find her. Eventually we saw a blanket under the bed.

“One of the neighbours pulled the blanket open, and the kid came out. She was dead. She was wearing different clothes, her leg was broken, and there was a knife and screwdriver next to her,” said Nozuko.

The suspect was found a short while later by the toddler’s uncle, Mzukisi Mzimkhulu.

“Mzukisi brought him to the house. Fortunately for him (the suspect) the police were already here before we could get our hands on him,” said Sarah.

Mzwandile Mqengqwa, 45, only found out on Sunday about the death of his daughter, whom he last saw in March. Mqengqwa lives in Philippi.

I had so many dreams for my child. She’s the younger of two girls out of all my children. I thought this was the child I could do good by and take to school, I just needed a job,” he said.

Mqengqwa said he would be at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday to honour his daughter’s memory.

“My daughter was very sweet. She was a happy child and didn’t cry much. As long as she was fed and changed, she was a joy,” he said. “

I really don’t know what’s wrong with this place, it’s just tragedy-ridden.”

Mini said the neighbours all wanted answers. “The police took him before we could get him. We want answers. He must tell us exactly what went on and why he did it.

“Sarah doesn’t work. She survives on the grants she gets for her children. She fed him through those grants, he didn’t even pay rent for living in that shack. He is shameless and ungrateful,” said Mini.

Mini said neighbours dismantled the relative’s shack, where Asanele’s body was found, because it was too traumatising for her mother.

“Every time she went outside and saw that shack she’d just lose her mind. It’s too much for her,” she said.

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