Cape Town - Police have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the disappearance and alleged murder of his 11-year-old niece after her body was found in a disused building in Maitland.
Police had earlier estimated the girl to be 16.
“The deceased was found wearing black shorts, pink and white striped top. She sustained injuries to the head,” said police spokesman Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana.
Kinana said: “On Wednesday, at 4pm, a 44-year-old male was arrested in connection with the disappearance of his 11-year-old niece. It is alleged that the 11-year-old girl disappeared on Tuesday evening, from Pam Court, Manenberg and was reported missing at Manenberg SAPS.
“A task team was then set up to search the area for the girl, with no success. By (Wednesday) the search intensified in an operation under the command of Major-General Robberts.
“There was no success within the immediate area. Later, the unidentified body of an 11-year-old girl was found in an abandoned building in Lower Station, industrial area. It seemed as if the girl died of severe head injuries. A case of murder has been opened for investigation. The girl was identified as the 11-year-old that went missing from Manenberg.
“The murder investigation will be combined with the kidnapping charges because the uncle was the last person to see her alive.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Manenberg SAPS on 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
*The police were also seeking help in finding Ntombekhaya Pantshwa, Kinana said.
“This nine-year-old was last seen on Monday in the morning, when she left for school. She attends Mvula Primary School, Nyanga. According to her cousin, who was walking with her, Ntombekhaya turned back and said she wanted to go brush her hair. She has not been seen since then,” Kinana said.
Cape Argus