A 13-year-old girl from KwaNzimakwe in KwaZulu-Natal was beaten to death, allegedly by a pastor and church members, who were trying to cast demons out of her. Nonhlanhla Khoza, the Provincial Social Development MEC shared details of the horrific killing of the girl.
Khoza is expected to visit the family of the girl on Monday, 6 June. “Five children were held hostage from the 25th until May 29th, 2022, and allegedly beaten up by the local pastor, saying to exorcise them of demons,” Khoza’s office said.
“A 13-year-old girl died as a result of the brutal assault while four other children were freed. It is alleged that those involved in the assaults and torturing of children attempted to conceal the death. It is alleged that the church elders tempted with the crime scene, including moving the surviving children to other rooms and they were eventually released to their respective parents,” Khoza’s office said.
On 2 June, social workers were informed about the incident. This happened after the social workers had visited Bheki High School for a programme which teaches about child protection. This is the school the survivors attended. The four learners who survived have been moved to a place of safety.
Source: Times Live, The South African, image from Times Live