Family of murder victim speaks out after ordeal
The family of Andrea Cholo (25), one of the seven women who were murdered between August and October, shared their ordeal with Bonus.
POLOKWANE – The family of Andrea Cholo (25) says when she left home on September 16, she told them she was going to Seshego from Mmotong but she never returned.
Cholo was one of seven women whose bodies were found dumped in Polokwane.
Read more: Seshego woman missing for 3 weeks
Zimbabwean national, Themba Prince Willards Dube, was positively linked to the women’s disappearances and arrested on November 3.
He recently appeared in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on seven counts of rape and seven counts of murder and abandoned his bail application.
Read more: [WATCH] Case against alleged Polokwane serial killer postponed to next year
According to police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, the accused was still in custody when police investigations led to the discovery of seven bodies of women, dumped at various locations in and around Polokwane.
He led the police to the bodies of the victims that were found in shallow graves at various locations in and around Polokwane.
BONUS spoke to Andrea’s mother, Helen, who described her as a “responsible person who always came home when she said she would”.
Helen says when Andrea did not return, the family assumed that she was busy and did not worry.
“Her friend called the next day saying she couldn’t get hold of her either and we panicked but decided to give her until the weekend. When she did not come home, we decided to open a missing person’s case,” she said.
Helen says the family didn’t suspect kidnapping because Andrea was a careful person who liked doing things the proper way.
A month after the case was opened, Andrea had still not been found and the police did not have any leads until a man came to the house saying he had dropped her off in Seshego on September 16.
“That was when we realised the severity of her disappearance and realised she might have been kidnapped. When the police eventually told us they had found her body, my heart sank because I was still hoping that my beautiful, smart girl was still alive.”
Helen says she feels that the police did not do enough and if they had intensified their efforts, they could have found her before her death.
“There’s nothing we can do now but mourn for her,” she said.
Helen says her daughter was a neat girl who kept to herself.
“She contributed to the house without complaining and would often keep to herself, except the rare occasion when she left the house. She loved her books and was just a responsible young lady. She would ask permission to go out and would always be back when she said she would. This is why we trusted her so much. We miss her already.”
BONUS previously spoke to the family of Sanah Mpho Senyatsi, who went missing on October 13 after being fetched from her home by an unknown man promising her employment.
Sanah’s sister, Tshego Manaka says the family hasn’t been the same after her disappearance and she pleaded with anyone who had information to come forward before her body was found.
The family declined to comment, asking for space to deal with the news of her death.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo in an earlier statement said the victims had been positively identified by their next of kin. They include:
• Sarah Moitswadi Mathiba (42) who was reportedly kidnapped in Lebowakgomo last month.
• Lesotho national, Moleboheng Mothibeli (34) who was reported missing in Polokwane in October.
• Eva Khomotso Makhura (41) who was reported missing in Seshego in October.
• Mpho Sanah Sinyatsi (34) who was reported missing from Luthuli Park Extension 9L in October.
• Andrea Cholo (25) who was reported kidnapped in Seshego in August
• Chisimango Gumbo (48), a foreign national, who was reported missing in Seshego in August
• Jane Letswalo (42) whose body was found next to Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in August.
