Baby Keeya to be laid to rest on January 25

Funeral of abducted Soweto toddler taking place while suspect is still at large

Four-year-old Keeya Mbulawa, who was allegedly kidnapped and died from injuries sustained by being suffocated inside a suitcase, will be laid to rest on Thursday, January 25.

The little girl’s ordeal began on Saturday, January 13, while she was playing with other children in the yard. The alleged abductor, Nonhle Matsebula, is a tenant living in the same yard and also the prime suspect.

According to Keeya’s grandfather Jesias Serongwane, the family frantically searched for the child after realising that the child was missing. While the search party continued, this is when the family spotted the Matsebula leaving in a rush instead of helping.

“A lady that is a tenant at the place where the child went missing attempted to leave the property pushing a big suitcase. When the hailing cab driver arrived to pick her up, the mother of the missing child demanded to search the suitcase”, says Serongwane.

Serongwane added that when the suitcase was opened, and to the shock of all witnesses, missing Keeya fell out of the suitcase.

“She was unconscious and has a sock in her mouth. On close inspection it was discovered that she was also tightly fastened with a cable tyre around her neck. The child was rushed to hospital. She is still lying unconscious and fighting for her life in hospital.”

The suspect, who is believed to be a Eswatini national, disappeared and she is still at large.

The death of Keeya Mbulawa not only leaves a family and community in grief but also sparks the fear and concern about child safety in the country.

Anyone with information on the suspect or any positive leads can contact their nearest Police station or anonymously report on the MySAPS App.