Radio NZ
January 18 2007; 16:12

Suffocated Zimbabwean girl sexually assaulted - police

Police have confirmed a 10-year-old Zimbabwean girl had suffered a violent sexual attack before she died almost two weeks ago in Christchurch.

Charlene Makaza died in hospital a day after her family took her there after she was found unconscious in her bed.

Police believe she was suffocated and a sexual assualt took place at the same time, or just before her death