Tensions rise as rape, murder-accused appears in court

Tensions were high outside the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court where community members and political organisations gathered to oppose bail for a man accused of the rape and murder of his six-year-old daughter.

Sihle Ntshiza is charged with sexually assaulting and killing Sinesihle Khathi from Amahlongwa, near Umkomaas on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

It is alleged that the grade 1 learner was taken to hospital three days after she was allegedly raped.

Doctors pronounced her dead upon arrival at the hospital, and alerted the authorities, when they discovered that she was also sexually assaulted.

The child's death has renewed calls for urgent action to protect vulnerable children. This as the country observes Child Protection Week.

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