DURBAN– Criminals always seem to have an excuse for their evil deeds when it’s time to face the law. This is what a 29-year-old man did after he assaulted his girlfriend and brutally murdered his stepchild at Esigangeni in Nongoma. He claims that he was drunk and was not in his right state of mind when he assaulted the victims.
After being on the run for a month he couldn’t believe his eyes when police arrived at his new home at Cottonlands in Verulam where he was arrested. He was also charged for murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He will appear in the Nongoma Magistrates Court tomorrow.
It is alleged that on 10 December 2019, a 22-year-old woman, her child and her boyfriend were at their place of residence when an argument occurred. The boyfriend became violent and assaulted the woman. He then slammed the three-year-old child numerous times on the floor. Even though the mother was crying and pleading for him to stop, he continued assaulting his stepchild with no remorse until the child was unconscious. He left the house immediately after the incident.
The three-year-old victim and her mother were taken to a local hospital for medical attention, however, the child succumbed to her injuries. When the suspect heard that the child has died and that a murder case was opened as well as that police at Nongoma were looking for him, he left the area and went into hiding hoping no one would find him. His nightmare became a reality yesterday at 03:00 when police officers from Verulam arrived at his new home where he was arrested.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula congratulated police officers from Verulam for their quick and decisive response that led to the apprehension of the culprit as soon as the information was received.