Missing 12-year-old Eastern Cape girl found dead, one arrested
A 12-year-old girl who went missing earlier this week in the Eastern Cape has been found dead.
The body of Lithaliyanda Ntoni was discovered in bushes near Khabonqaba Street in Motherwell, on Friday.
Police said a 39-year-old has been arrested in connection with her murder.
Ntoni was last seen on June 24 when she failed to return home from a nearby shop, leading to a missing persons report being opened.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the suspect faces charges of murder and kidnapping and is expected to appear in court soon.
Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, expressed profound dismay at the crime.
“While we commend the swift arrest in this case, the brutal nature of this child’s murder has deeply shocked our officers and the community. We have full confidence in our investigative team and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure justice for Lithaliyanda and her family,” Kupiso said.
According to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s fourth quarter crime figures for the 2024/25 financial year, South Africa’s war against violent crime and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is increasing.
The quarterly figures revealing both positive drops in some crime categories and alarming surges in others.
“As the Ministry of Police under the 7th Administration, we have clearly outlined our policing priorities, these include reducing the murder rate, reducing illegal firearms and tightening controls over legal firearms, fighting GBVF, dismantling organised crime,” Mchunu said.
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