A COWDRAY Park woman, believed to be a member of an apostolic sect, is reportedly under police investigation for starving her one-year-old daughter to death while fasting, and concealing the toddler’s decomposing body for a week inside her house.
Police sources said the suspect, Khayelihle Ndebele, was arrested on Monday following a tip-off from neighbours and was taken to hospital for medical examination.
The baby’s corpse was also taken in for post-mortem. The toddler was identified as Simangaliso Mlalazi.
According to police, the matter came to light on Monday when inquisitive neighbours, led by Agrippa Moyo (45), teamed up and peeped through a broken window at Ndebele’s house.
“They saw the mother lying on a sofa looking frail, while the child was lying beside her. Moyo then reported the matter to the police, who went to the scene and forced the door open. When she was asked about the child, she said she was sleeping,” a police source said.
During interrogation, Ndebele allegedly disclosed that she was an Apostolic sect member and that they were fasting.
Police sources said it emerged during investigations that Ndebele was dumped by her husband, who is now staying with another wife in Emganwini.
Neighbours said, three months ago, Ndebele allegedly locked herself in the house for some days with the child until the local councillor intervened and engaged the police.
Contacted for comment, provincial police pokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said she would verify the matter with her counterparts at Luveve Police Station and call back.