Father arrested for alleged kidnapping, murder of his daughter

The body of the two-year-old girl was found in the ceiling at her father’s home in Klerksdorp in South Africa’s North West province.

RUSTENBURG, May 18 (ANA) – A 47-year-old man was arrested for kidnapping and murder after the body of his two-year-old daughter was found inside the ceiling of his house in Alabama near Klerksdorp in South Africa’s North West province, police said on Tuesday.

The man allegedly went to his girlfriend’s place in Jouberton near Klerksdorp last Thursday and took their daughter without the consent of her mother, who was admitted in hospital at the time, police spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said.

“She was discharged on Friday … and started searching for the toddler, but could not find her. On Saturday, a case of missing person was opened at Jouberton police station,” Funani said.

The father was arrested on Sunday following investigations and was charged with kidnapping after he failed to tell the police where the child was.

On Monday, neighbours who could smell a bad odour coming from the suspect’s house went to investigate.

“It is alleged that the neighbours found the lifeless body of the child and called the police. The father, who was already in custody, was then charged with her murder,” Funani said.

The man was expected to appear in the Klerksdorp magistrates’ court on Wednesday.

Acting North West police commissioner Major General Dintletse Molefe said detectives must do everything in their power to oppose bail for the suspect, and thanked neighbours and community members for cooperating with the police in the matter.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa