Community in shock after three bodies found in Pienaar in less than a week

The community of Pienaar is living in fear following the discovery of three bodies within a week.

Taking matters into their own hands, some community members hunted down an 18-year-old man who is suspected to have kidnapped the three-year-old girl, Peaceful Khoza, on Wednesday morning, July 3.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Three accused of the murder of Bonisiwe Mabuza appear in KaNyamazane Periodical Court

A few hours after her disappearance, Peaceful was discovered murdered, burnt and buried, in a shallow grave behind a house that allegedly belonged to the man’s late grandmother in Ncakeni in Pienaar.

After he was physically assaulted on Wednesday evening in a mob justice attack, the man allegedly pointed out where Peaceful was buried and she was exhumed on Thursday July 4.

ALSO READ: Police discover remains of young boy in Pienaar, suspect in custody

Community members said the man also pointed out where the missing six-year-old, Junior Mabandla, was buried. Junior’s body was exhumed and identified by his family on Wednesday.

His body was found inside a shopping bag and buried on top of an existing grave in the Ncakeni Cemetery.

Mdhluli said the man was arrested and hospitalised and is under police guard.

“An investigation into the murders has been launched. Although we cannot rule out that these killings were part of ritual practices, it is yet to be determined whether the children were sexually violated and/or mutilated. It is also possible that the suspect in these murders could have worked with other people,” he said.

The discovery of the body of the 37-year-old Bonisiwe Mabuza on July 1, less than a week after her disappearance, sent shockwaves through the community. Her body was exhumed from a shallow grave in the Luphisa Graveyard in Pienaar.

The three accused of her murder will appear in the KaNyamazane Periodical Court on August 14.