Bloemfontein - A woman accused of stabbing her three-year-old niece 99 times appeared in Odendaalsrus Magistrate's Court on Thursday, Free State police said.
The matter was postponed to July 22 for a formal bail application, spokeswoman Molebogeng Lechesa said.
Nompucuko Mavis Mahamo, 23, was arrested on Monday and charged with murder. She was in possession of a knife with blood stains on it and two used white candles. Her blood-stained clothes were found during further investigations.
Karabo Nale's body was found on Sunday in a field by a shepherd. According to post mortem results she had 99 stab wounds, Lechesa said.
On Friday, Nale's mother left her two daughters with her cousin, Mahamo, because she was going to work.
When she returned, her eldest daughter, 13, told her that the relative had gone with her younger sister to the shops to buy sweets and had not returned.
The girl's mother went to several houses looking for Mahamo but could not find her.
She reported her daughter missing to the police.
The girl was discovered with multiple stab wounds and next to her was a packet of Niknaks and sweets. Her face was covered with a jersey, Lechesa said at the time.
Lechesa called for the Kutlwanong residents to let the law take its course.
“We regard this arrest as a breakthrough thus we are calling on residents of Kutlwanong, to calm down so that the suspect can face the might of the law.”
The toddler's funeral would be held on Friday at the Kutlwanong Community Hall at 9am.
Sapa