A 7-month-old baby who was brutally killed on Sunday afternoon in Duduza, Ekurhuleni, will be laid to rest on Wednesday. 

Baby Mbalenhle Ngwenya was allegedly left by her grandmother at a friend's house nearby.

"The friend, who was with her boyfriend, left the child with him to go make her some juice since she was crying. The boyfriend said the child was possessed with demons since she continued crying," the Gauteng department of community safety said in a statement.

The boyfriend then took a garden hoe and hit the child on the head and body. When the girlfriend returned from preparing the juice, she found the baby unconscious.

Gauteng MEC for community safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane has condemned the murder.

"This incident is very devastating and is one of the latest barbaric attacks on children within our communities in Gauteng.

'This incident happens when we continue to observe safety month as the Gauteng department of community safety and must be condemned in the [strongest,] harshest terms," Nkosi-Malobane said in the statement on Wednesday.

The suspect was arrested at the scene and detained at Duduza police station.

He is expected to appear at the Nigel Magistrate's Court on February 19.

"I will monitor the case very closely to ensure that the criminal justice system apply the law accordingly without fear or favour. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ngwenya family during these trying times," Nkosi-Malobane added.

The baby sustained an open wound to the head and severe body injuries.

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