Durban - Social Development MEC in KwaZulu-Natal, Nonhlanhla Khoza together with police management will visit a bereaved Ulundi family on Friday, following the deaths of their two children.
Asimbonge Shongwe, 14, and her younger sister, Sandakahle Manana, 6, were found brutally murdered in KwaZondela, Ulundi, after being reported missing last week.
Sandakahle’s body was found last Friday, while her sister’s body was found in the bush on Sunday. Both children had been assaulted, strangled and dumped in separate areas.
Khoza condemned the gruesome and senseless killing of the children.
The department said she will visit the family to convey condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the provincial government.
The department said police management will also provide details to the family on the status of the cases as the perpetrator is still at large.
MEC Khoza will also engage with police management in Ulundi, especially on gender-based violence cases.
Speaking to The Mercury yesterday, the girls’ mother, Nomcebo Shongwe said that she is struggling to cope with the loss.
“I am not in a good space. I can’t even get a good night's sleep because of what happened. I really need counselling and I will only be able to find rest once the person responsible has been arrested,” she said.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed the case.
“Charges of murder and kidnapping are being investigated by Ulundi SAPS. It is alleged that on March 3, 2022 at 7pm, two girls aged six and 14 were kidnapped by a known suspect in Ulundi,” said Mbele.