In a shock twist, the mother of six-year-old Alexia Nyamadzawo, whose body was found in sugar-cane fields on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Tuesday, appeared in the Umhlali Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a murder charge.

Fungai Nyamadzawo, 42, appeared briefly on Wednesday, and has also been charged with kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

She will remain in custody until June 10 when she will next appear in court.

News24 previously reported that a woman was arrested after Alexia’s body was found in a field outside Glendale in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.

According to a missing person’s alert, Alexia’s mother claimed her daughter had been “snatched” from the backseat of her car.

Alexia, 6, was with her mother and 14-year-old sister when she was allegedly “snatched”, according to the alert.

The credibility of her story is now in question as she looks set to face charges of defeating the ends of justice, and could face a perjury charge.

• News24