A woman will be charged for murder after the body of missing Alexia Nyamadzawo, who was snatched from the backseat of her mother’s car, was found in Glendale, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday.
Nyamadzawo, 6, was with her mother and 14-year-old sister when she was allegedly snatched, a missing person’s alert had said earlier.
According to her mother, when she approached a speed hump near Shayamoya, an unknown man opened the door of her vehicle and took Alexia who was asleep on the rear seat.
She then reported the matter to the police, who appealed to the public to help find Alexia.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police, a 42-year-old woman was taken in for questioning on Monday.
“Detectives enlisted the services of the Umhlali Search and Rescue Unit to assist in the search for the missing child,” police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said.
“Following an arduous operation, the body of the missing child was located in a sugarcane field in Riet Valley,” he added. The police detained the suspect at Umhlali police station, and she will be charged for murder.
She is expected to appear at the Umhlali Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula commended the police officers involved in the operation for the breakthrough.
“We treat all crimes against women and children very seriously and were extremely concerned when allegations of kidnapping surfaced.
“We are disappointed that we could not find the missing child alive, however, we will do everything that is within our control to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book,” he said.
