Family welcomes arrest in Durban boy's murder case

Family welcomes arrest in Durban boy's murder case

The father of the Durban boy who was found murdered on Wednesday night has welcomed an arrest in the case. 

sibongakonke-facebook-mxolisi-nodangala.gif
Facebook - Mxolisi Nodangala

Sixteen-month-old Sibongakonke Mlanji disappeared from his home on Saturday. He was found dead in bushes in Phoenix four days after he went missing. 

His father, Mxolisi Nodangala, says they received a phone call telling them where to find the child's body. 

Nodangala says he was aware that a search was on for the suspect, who was found hiding in the Eastern Cape.

"All I wanted was justice for my baby. I feel good, although I have lost him but I am feeling good", he said.

READ: Body of missing toddler found in Phoenix

He believes his son was kidnapped and killed because of a money dispute. 

The boy's father says he did not live with his son.

He claims the child's mother's boyfriend kidnapped the boy after climbing through a window.

He says the man allegedly demanded money he was apparently owed by the child's mother - for the boy's safe return.

Nodangala has told Newswatch how he was told of the baby's whereabouts.

"He gave me the direction of where he killed the baby. It was like directing someone to a shop. Then I found my baby lying down there. He was [bruised] and had a plastic bag over his head but I didn't believe it. I thought he was going to bring him back but he didn't do that," he said. 

The suspect is due in court on Monday.

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