A MAN shocked his family and the community of Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg when he stabbed his one-year-old daughter to death yesterday.
The man, whom the community turned in to the police, took the child to one of the houses and killed her with a knife.
He and the child had been sitting outside with members of the family. He said he was taking her to change her nappy. The man’s sister was shocked when she entered the house to find him stabbing his daughter.
The sister immediately ran out of the house screaming, and together with her mother, attempted to run away.
It is alleged that the suspect gave chase after the mother and daughter, but retreated when the mother began screaming.
The suspect ran back to the house to collect the baby, whom he dumped on a neighbour’s floor and fled, police spokeswoman Inspector Joey Jeevan said.
The community chased the suspect and apprehended him.
Police are investigating the motive for the murder. The suspect will appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court shortly.
Earlier, the body of a man, estimated to be 20 years old, was found with stab wounds in a field near Madras Road in Pietermaritzburg.
Police are appealing for public assistance in solving the case. Call Captain Kercy Pillay at 082 434 1163 or 033 845 2761.
