Duduza – Duduza community members marched to their local police station on January 17 in demand for answers about the tragic death of five-year-old Ntombentle Nzima who was raped and killed on New Year’s Eve.
Ntombentle’s body was discovered in an open field on January 1. Her killer(s) have not been arrested. Investigations are still underway. The march comes after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi gave the police three days to find and arrest the killer.
The CoE’s MMC for Development Planning, Nomadlozi Nkosi said, “As Duduza residents, we are disappointed because Ntombentle’s killer is still roaming around freely within the community.”
Nkosi continued, “The premier gave the police 72 hours to find the killer. Yet, that has not happened.
“How many more girls should we lose before justice is served? The killer(s) might be among us as we are gathered here, watching every move we make.
“We demand answers from the police. We will rest the day we find out that the perpetrator is arrested. As women, we no longer feel comfortable within our community and we fear for our children’s safety.
“We are still pleading with the police to do their best, find the killer and get him off the streets,” said Nkosi.
Community members warned the police that they would find the killer themselves if an arrest was not made within the next 14 days.
“We are losing patience at the slow pace of the criminal justice system. Residents just want justice for baby Ntombentle and four other children killed in the area recently.
Nomadlozi Nkosi said they want justice for Ntombentle.
There was a lot of chanting during the march.
“It is our responsibility as residents to demand justice and accountability for those implicated. Duduza used to be a very safe place to live in, but what we are seeing now is worrisome. The police never seem to apprehend the perpetrators.
“I believe there could have been a person or people that heard Ntombentle cry for help. I urge anyone with information to go and inform the police instead of protecting the killer,” said Gauteng MPL Ntombi Mekgwe.
Mekgwe further mentioned that they are demanding that the police provide regular updates on the progress of the investigation.
She further cited that she fears that the killer might strike again, “for as long as the perpetrator is not found, they will continue to terrorise the community.
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“We urge the municipality to do regular maintenance in Duduza to reduce long grass, and dumping areas, and we also urge community members to stop creating dumping sites.
“Illegal dumping should come to an end as these areas lead to criminality due to insufficient visibility,” she added.
Residents also submitted a memorandum of demands to the Duduza Customer Care Centre. The Duduza SAPS acting station commander Warrant Officer James Mapheleba said the police have not arrested anyone but have questioned a lot of people since the case was opened.
“There has not been any evidence linking those questioned to the matter. Investigations are still ongoing and we hope to arrest the suspect soon.
“We urge residents to refrain from spreading false news on social media because that may endanger other people’s lives,” explained Mapheleba.
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