LOWVELD – The Hoedspruit magistrate's court has postponed the murder trial of a woman who allegedly beat her nine-year-old daughter to death.

Mavis Mnisi (30) was not asked to plead when she appeared before the court last Thursday. She was facing a murder charge, following the death of her daughter, Nyeko Sebongile Molobela.

According to Capt. Ngoatshe Ngwepe, Mnisi is a farm worker at Eden Farm and was on her way from collecting firewood in the mountain last Sunday, 23 June. "The girl told her mother that she was tired. She asked her mother to rest for a while. However, the mother allegedly forced her crying daughter to continue walking. She allegedly then started to beat her with a wooden stick all over the body," said Ngoepe.

Other farm workers informed police about the incident. On their arrival, police found the dead body of Molobela with multiple injuries. Mnisi was arrested on the spot.

Mnisi was to remain in custody until her case was to be heard again yesterday (Thursday).