The family say the teenager's arrest came as a shock but they have left everything in the hands of the law.
“What we need to look at is where his place in society will be because he has created a bad situation for everyone. It’s very painful because how will we take him in if the state is unable? We will accept it if the government says they will keep him — wherever they keep him — because there is no place for him here,” said Mhlongo.
After his arrest on Wednesday, the boy appeared in the Ntuzuma magistrate's court on charges of rape and murder. The matter was postponed to October 7 for a formal bail application.
“The accused has been moved to a place of safety,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Kara.
Sanelisiwe is expected to be buried on Friday.
TimesLIVE