It was a somber moment as scores of community members converged at Duduza Multi-Purpose Center on Saturday, January 11, to bid farewell to Ntombenhle Nzima.
This comes after the 5-year-old girl was raped and brutally murdered by an unknown suspect, and her body was discovered on New Year’s Day.
Family representative Lucas Mcethe lamented that the family is still struggling to come to terms with the untimely death of their child.
“We are still deeply sad about what happened, and we believe that the perpetrator will get divine retribution. My heart is broken because they robbed us of the little one, and she did not deserve to die at such a young age.”
One of the neighbors, Nokuthula Katioe, said: “The killer has broken our hearts. He’s not a human being because how could he kill a child who couldn’t even fight for herself? I wish I could see you one more time, my Angel, coming knocking at our doors with a beautiful smile on your face. We still don’t understand how could someone decide to take your life just like that. We will always miss you.”
Miss Zungu from Zakheni Primary School described Ntombenhle as a sweet and clever child who was loved by everyone.
“I was in KZN when I received a call from one of my colleagues who informed me that a child had been killed. My heart stopped when I later found out it was one of the learners in my classroom. She was very smart, adorable, with a bubbly personality. We are still hurt and demand that justice must take its course and bring the perpetrators to book.”
Ward Councillor Bongani Hlophe said: “We need to unite and fight the scourge of gender-based violence. Political parties and different stakeholders must assist in finding the killers.”
Among those who were present for the funeral service included Former Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe, and Pastor Paseka Mboro Motsoeneng.
Meanwhile, 72 hours has passed since Premier Panyaza Lesufi gave police a deadline to identify the person behind the gruesome murder.
Duduza acting station commander Warrant Officer Mehlomakhulu said they have no lead as yet when it comes to the murder of Ntombenhle Nzima, and he also urges anyone with information regarding her murder to come forward.
