South African police have arrested a 21-year-old man in Driekoppies, Schoemansdal area of Mpumalanga Province for the alleged murder of a three-year-old girl.
According to the Mpumalanga Police, the suspect allegedly attacked and killed the toddler following an altercation linked to the child’s mother, who works as a domestic employee at the residence.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brig. Donald Mdhluli, said the incident occurred while the child accompanied her mother to work.
Mdhluli said the mother had reportedly left her daughter sleeping on a couch while carrying out her duties at the house.
He explained that when the woman later could not locate her daughter, the suspect allegedly directed her to the garage.
“Upon getting to the garage, the mother discovered her child lying lifeless with visible head injuries,” he said.
Police and Emergency Medical Services were immediately called to the scene.
Medical personnel later confirmed the child dead on arrival.
According to police, when questioned about the incident, the suspect allegedly admitted acting out of anger because the child’s mother did not clean the house properly.
Mdhluli said the suspect resides with his grandmother, who is the employer of the victim’s mother.
A murder case has been opened, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga.
