A 13-year-old girl died after allegedly being assaulted by her friend’s mother during a sleepover in Khayelitsha, leaving her family reeling as police continue to investigate.

Zukhanye Nkabeni was attacked on Friday night in Harare and later rushed to Khayelitsha District Hospital, where she died shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Her grandmother, Portia Nkabeni, said the family is devastated. “My daughter, Unathi, called me and said she was at Zukhanye’s friend’s place. She said she was not in good condition, she was sitting on a couch and she had no energy. She even thought she was sleeping, and woke her up and she was unable to walk. The friend’s mother told Unathi that they assaulted Zukhanye because she was trying to break into their home.”

The family was also told that Zukhanye had taken a cocktail of pills.

“There was no water in the room, but they said she took pills. Unathi got an e-hailing vehicle after she started relieving herself, and then when she asked Zukhanye if she was okay, she answered yes. My granddaughter’s forehead was swollen from the beating with the broomstick. Unathi went to the police station first so the police could take the statement from Zukhanye but they insisted that she must first go and get the J88 form filled and then return to the hospital, but she didn’t make it out,” the grandmother said.

The grandmother said the doctors later found traces of high blood pressure medication, antiretrovirals, and depression pills in Zukhanye’s system.

“I don’t know how my grandchild could have looked around the house for the pills, when they beat her for trying to get inside,” Portia said.

She visited the suspect’s home the next day seeking answers.

“The woman told me about the burglary. I couldn’t see anything that was broken, but they said she pried the door open. I don’t understand how three old women could hit a young child like that. While they were trying to tell their version of the story, the daughter disputed that and said they were at home and heard Zukhanye trying to come inside, but they didn’t want to open, and then thereafter she was assaulted.”

Despite the family’s claims, police confirmed no arrests have been made.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said Lingelethu West police registered an inquest case in Bhobhoyi Street, Ilitha Park, in the early hours of 27 September 2025.

“Reports of assault were not mentioned. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” he said.

Women and children’s rights organisation Ilitha Labantu condemned the teenager’s killing. Spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said: “Reports indicate that Zukhanye was visiting a friend when the friend’s mother, together with two other women, launched a violent attack on her, beating her on the head with planks. The assault left her with severe head injuries, and despite being rushed to hospital, she was pronounced dead just two hours later. Before her passing, she was able to provide a statement about the events that led to her death.”

Monakali said the case highlights how children are often harmed by those they trust.

“It is shocking and unacceptable that no arrests have been made. Justice delayed is justice denied. The perpetrators must be arrested immediately and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Anything less will send a dangerous message that violence against children can be carried out with impunity.”

He added: “Zukhanye’s death is not only a devastating loss to her family but a collective wound to our society. Her story must serve as a rallying call to confront the scourge of violence against children and to ensure that homes and communities become places of safety rather than sites of harm.”

Ilitha Labantu extended its condolences to the family and urged swift police action. “Her memory must not fade into another statistic. It must be a call to build a society where no child suffers violence or abuse.”

Portia expressed that the family has no funds to bury Zukhanye. If anyone would like to assist, please contact her on 082 883 4845.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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