Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

The mother of a five-year-old child who was beaten to death in Umlazi by her former lover believes the suspect might have killed her child out of anger.

The mother, Ntombikhona Ncwane, said the suspect, Muzi "System" Mbheje, 40, apparently could not accept their break-up of seven years ago.

She told police that the suspect was not the biological father of the child.

She maintains the child was kidnapped by the suspect on Sunday. She was going to report him missing on Monday - the following day. She said she could not comment further now that it was the subject of a police probe.

Ncwane told Sowetan that her child was "kidnapped by Mbheje. I cannot say too much. My child will be buried on Saturday at eZimbokodweni".

Meanwhile, Mbheje's mother says Ncwane is just as responsible for the child's death.

Florence Mbheje, 63, believes that Ncwane should also be held responsible for not taking care of her child.

She said if Ncwane had not given little Sanele to her son, the child would still be alive.

"How on earth could she allow someone to take away such a small child?

"If she really cared, she would have fought and refused to let the man take away her child. She should also be held responsible," said Mbheje.

Sanele died on Monday, hours after he was stabbed, hacked and thrown against a hard object.

Mbheje was arrested soon after the attack.

Meanwhile, neighbours told Sowetan that the child's school bag was at the suspect's house.