On Monday about 9am, a seven-year-old girl from Ward 19, Ntshongwe, in uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, KwaZulu Natal, was sent to a nearby shop to buy certain items, but she did not come home, much to her family's despair.
The terrified family members alerted the community, and an active search for the missing girl began.
The girl's lifeless body was found on Tuesday morning, tossed into a neighbouring bush not far from her house.
This devastating tragedy occurred while the country was just beginning this year's series of events to commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
MEC Mbali Shinga voiced her dismay at the inhumane act of violence on an innocent youngster.
"We are devastated and outraged by this tragic incident. It is very sad that our province has become a place where it is no longer safe for a girl child to walk on the street.
"We are calling for the police to work around the clock to ensure that whoever is responsible for this tragic incident is apprehended and faces the full might of the law. We sympathise with the family and all their relatives," MEC Shinga said.
The MEC has despatched a team from the KZN Department of Social Development to comfort the family and give assistance during this difficult time.
"A team of social workers has been deployed to provide psychosocial support to all those affected by this heinous crime. This calls us, as the KZN Department of Social Development, to strengthen our awareness campaigns to love and protect children."
IOL