The late Khensani Sambo.
A 22-year-old man believed to be responsible for the murder of two young girls whose bodies were found in a ditch last month at Mganduzweni Trust was arrested on Tuesday, reports Mpumalanga News.
The suspect, Tshepiso Mokoena, appeared at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court for the murder of 20-year-old Khensani Sambo who was reported missing in March.
Samno was found in bushes near a school in Jerusalem outside Mganduzweni, whose phone was later traced to Mokoena.
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A police investigation was launched leading to the Mokoena’s arrest.
He pointed out the place where the body had been dumped and indeed it was found, albeit at an advanced stage of decomposition.
On the very same day after the police had left, some community members burnt the suspect’s house down, hence an arson case is also being investigated.
The two girls between the ages of six and seven were last seen on April 23 playing near their home.
According to police, a traditional healer was then reportedly consulted by members of the community, who in turn accused two men, a local pastor and his nephew, as the ones responsible for the siblings’ death.
After the consultation, the community soon burnt the two men to death and torched their houses in an apparent act of vigilantism.
The suspect, who is reportedly related to the young girls, claimed that on that fateful day, he had taken the two victims and handed them over to some other people, however, the police investigation is underway to validate those claims.
His case was remanded to June 5 at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court.
Anyone with information that may assist police in their investigation is urged to contact Captain Timothy Mushwana on 082 449 0223 or the SAPS Crime Stop number, 08600 10111.
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