On Friday, August 26, the three-year-old Tshanduko Shilenge disappeared from her home in the Mashila section of Majosi village. Two days later, her lifeless body was found by members of the community in nearby bushes. The police are investigating the possibility that the little girl was raped before she was killed.

Tshanduko´s uncle, Mr Robert Shilenge, spoke to our reporter during his visit to the bereaved family last Thursday, about the terrible ordeal. "I was seated outside, listening to the music while the children were dancing. I then decided to go to sleep. When I woke up the following day, I tried to look for Tshanduko, thinking that she slept in one of the rooms, but could not find her," he said.

He said that, after checking all over the place, "I then decided to engage members of the community, who searched for her all over with no luck." He added that it was very painful to find out that the young girl´s body had been recovered.

"She did not have to die like that. This is really bad and has affected everybody in the family,“ Shilenge emphasized. According to him, when Tshanduko´s body was recovered, she was naked and her trousers were dumped far away from where the body was found.

Detective Lt Obert Masocha of the Hlanganani SAPS confirmed the incident. "The child was first reported missing, but was later found dead in the village," he said. Masocha added that the police had opened a case of murder, following the incident. He stressed, however, that the forensic investigation will determine whether the child was raped before she was killed. "People should not jump to conclusions before the forensic results are known," said Masocha.

Members of the community said they knew the suspect, but that the police were failing to arrest him. Masocha warned members of the community against pointing fingers. "Let the police do their job. If people have some information that can assist with the case, they must come forward and contact the police," he added.

He confirmed that a 23-year-old Zimbabwean national had been taken in for questioning and that DNA tests were also being conducted. "We are awaiting the results of the DNA tests taken from this person," said Masocha.

Although the family was experiencing financial problems to bury their loved one, Tshanduko was laid to rest at the village´s cemetery last Saturday. The family thanked a local community development worker, Mr Ernest Bamuza, who assisted in raising funds for the funeral.