Estcourt community rocked by murder of three-year-old boy
A local chief in Estcourt says the community are in shock and living in fear after the badly mutilated body of a three-year-old boy was found in a bush there.
Authorities say the child went missing on Thursday after he was taken from his grandmother in Thembelihle.
The police have since confirmed that a close relative has been arrested in connection with the child's murder. The suspect is appearing in court on Monday.
The police's Nqobile Gwala says the suspect became violent when he was later questioned about the child's whereabouts.
That's when family members decided to search for him.
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"At four in the afternoon, the child was found in the bushes and mutilated. The police were immediately alerted and responded to the scene.
"A 36-year-old suspect was placed under arrest for murder. The suspect is due to appear before the Escourt Magistrate Court."
Chief Mashiya Khanyile says they cannot understand what happened.
"It is a very painful incident. As a community, we're shocked and very confused. He's been arrested by police, but we fear that if he is released from custody, what will happen to the rest of the residents?"
