The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested the Swati woman who kidnapped and stuffed a 4-year-old child in a suitcase.
Lindeni Nonhlelelwa Matsebula, a known and friendly neighbour in Protea Glen, Soweto, kidnapped four-year-old Keeya Mbulawa, poisoned her and packed her in a travelling bag. The little girl’s parents had known Lindeni for over two years.
Keeya was last seen playing with other children. When the girl’s parents confronted Lindeni, who was moving out, she denied it. Her grandfather recalled to The Citizen:
“The suspect was attempting to leave with this big suitcase when the mother of the missing child demanded to search it. The suitcase was opened, and the missing child fell out of the suitcase. She was unconscious. The child was rushed to hospital where, on close inspection, it was discovered that she was also tightly fastened with a cable around her neck.”
The girl’s mother, Nolukhanya Mbulawa, and other community members found Keeya gagged with a sock, her hands and feet tied, and a black cable tightly strangling her neck.
Keeya d!ed on 17 January, four days after her mother found her in a suitcase. At the funeral, reports emerged that Keeya’s situation was so dire that doctors asked to switch off life support. The parents refused.
After committing the crime, Lindeni fled to Eswatini. Police initially opened a case of kidnapping against her, then added a m_rder charge. SAPS has confirmed that they have arrested Lindeni Matsebula.
Soweto police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo announced:
“Police can confirm that the suspect, who was wanted for the kidnapping and murder of a 4-year-old child, was arrested in Protea Glen on Wednesday. The suspect was spotted by a community member while walking in the streets of Protea Glen, and police were alerted. She was then arrested. She is expected to appear before the Protea Magistrate’s Court (1 March 2024), facing charges of kidnapping and m_rder.”
Source iHarare
