Humanity trumps political membership - mayor

Johannesburg - Humanity must precede political membership when dealing with crime, Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday.

"Gungubele called on all people to unite as humans and not as political parties to fight this absurd criminality," mayoral spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said in a statement.

Gungubele was speaking at the memorial service of toddler Cuburne Lavone van Wyk, who was kidnapped and murdered.

"Mayor Mondli Gungubele has demanded the truth on what really happened to Cuburne van Wyk," said Dlamini.

He also commended the community for their restraint and encouraged police to continue working hard.

A man was arrested in connection with Van Wyk's kidnapping and murder on Wednesday.

"Gauteng police have arrested a suspect in connection with the kidnapping and the murder of Cuburne Lavone van Wyk, whose body was recovered at the weekend," said police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza at the time.

The suspect was arrested in Germiston on Wednesday by metro police officers.

"He will be charged with murder and will appear in court soon."

Cuburne's body was discovered on Saturday at a mine dump in Reiger Park.

He disappeared on 6 August while he was playing outside with his siblings.