The KaBokweni police are investigating a case of murder with an additional charge of rape after the discovery of two bodies in an abandoned building on March 27.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the bodies, a male and female, were found hanging inside an old building, Khumbula Old Social Club, at around 18:00.
They have since been identified by their families. The male was Dumiso Mhlongo (25) and the female was a minor (16).
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“The whereabouts of the two, who are considered distant relatives, became a mystery after they were last seen on Saturday March 25. The girl’s aunt left them to attend a funeral. She became worried when she returned home only to find that her niece was not at home. She looked for her, but was unsuccessful. She reported the matter to the police the next day,” Mohlala said.
He said on Monday the aunt had been informed by some community members regarding the discovery of the two bodies. She went to the abandoned building only to find that the hanging bodies were her niece and Mhlongo.
“The police and the paramedics were notified about the incident. Upon arrival, the two were certified dead by the medical personnel on the scene. The SAPS opened a case with a charge of murder and rape after discovering foul play on the girl’s body.
“The matter is still under investigation. A team of investigators has been assembled to probe this horrific incident. A preliminary investigation has revealed that Mhlongo was visiting his relatives in KaBokweni,” he said.
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Mohlala added that Mhlongo had been seeking employment opportunities.
The police are working around the clock, using all available resources, to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident.
