The man who allegedly knifed to death his 17-month-old niece has appeared in court for the first time.
|||The man who allegedly knifed to death his 17-month-old niece and shoved her body under his bed has appeared in court for the first time.
Sydwell Imon Mzimkhulu, 39, appeared briefly in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with one count of murder for allegedly stabbing Asanele to death in his shack over the weekend.
Asanele was left in the care of her 12-year-old sister Sisipho at their home in Heinz Park, Nyanga, while their mother Sarah went to the unveiling of a tombstone on Saturday.
The toddler had gone missing, prompting a search. A neighbour broke down the door to Mzimkhulu’s shack in the family’s backyard and found Asanele’s body wrapped in a blanket under a bed.
Asanele was stabbed twice in the neck and had a bruise on her head.
Mzimkhulu was arrested shortly afterwards.
Prosecutor Mulatedzi Netshimbupfe said police were notified that Asanele was missing and when her body was found in Mzimkhulu’s shack, a knife – presumed to be the murder weapon – was found close by.
Netshimbupfe said a prosecutor from the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would be assigned to handle the case.
Mzimkhulu will remain behind bars until Monday. Outside court, residents sang, danced and brandished posters opposing bail for Mzimkhulu.
His sister, Sylvia, said the family also did not want him to be released, adding:
“I want him to rot in jail.” - Cape Argus
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