2 children’s bodies found in Mpumalanga township this week, teen arrested

The community of Pienaar in Mpumalanga is living in fear following the discovery of three bodies within a week, two of which were children.

Taking matters into their own hands, some community members hunted down an 18-year-old teen who is alleged to have kidnapped three-year-old Peaceful Khoza on Wednesday.

A few hours after her disappearance, Khoza was found in a shallow grave behind a house, in Ncakeni in Pienaar, that allegedly belonged to the teen’s late grandmother. Khoza had been murdered and burnt.

After he was physically assaulted on Wednesday night in a mob justice attack, the suspect allegedly pointed out where Khoza was buried. She was exhumed yesterday.

According to community members, the teen also allegedly pointed out where missing six-year-old Junior Mabandla was buried. Mabandla’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 at Ncakeni Cemetery.

Mdhluli says 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 says.

The discovery of the body of 37-year-old Bonisiwe Mabuza on Monday, less than a week after her disappearance, also sent shockwaves through the community. Her body was exhumed from a shallow grave at Luphisa cemetery.

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