Charred teens found at cemetery identified!

ORANGE FARMS – Two families in Orange Farms, Extension 9 are left in disbelief and still reeling in shock after they found their sons Mpiyakhe Mokoena (19) and Tshepo Gama (15) murdered and burnt to ashes.

Ster team visited the families recently following the identification of the teen couple after publishing an article when the charred bodies were found in Phomolong cemetery last week.

The families shared dreadful details on how their boys went missing after they were accused of stealing copper pipes in one of their neighbour’s homes.

The Nhlapo family said Mpiyakhe was dragged in the wee hours of the morning by armed men who broke entry in their home.

While the families were still trying to figure out how the burnt bodies ended up being dragged to the cemetery, Mohanuoa Gama, mother to Tshepo, a grade 8 pupil said her son was too young to die like a dog.

Tshepo’s school shoes were found on the scene of crime which made the family adamant that he was the one they were looking for.

Unlike Mpiyakhe, Tshepo was burnt beyond recognition with a still burning tyre on top of him when the boys were found.

Speaking to the Ster team at the Nhlapo family home in Lakeside, the visibly shaking Elias Nhlapho and Mohanuoa Gama said they don’t know what to make on the ordeal.

“The last time I saw my son was three weeks ago because Tshepo stayed with my mother. I was told that my son was taken by armed men and his still missing. When I read and heard about the two burnt bodies found at a cemetery near us, I then decided to go to the police station with Elias (father to Mpiyakhe). We went to Orange Farm police station where police confirmed the two bodies are that of my son and Mpiyakhe,” said Mohanuoa.

Elias said when he last saw Mpiyakhe, his house doors were broken around 12 pm and armed men stormed in taking his son.

He added that his family was pointed with torches and told that they wanted his son.

“I heard loud bangs of my doors breaking down as the men broke entry. They dragged Mpiyakhe from his bed barefooted and vanished with him. That was the last time I saw my son,” he said.

Both families said they are devastated on how their sons were killed.

“We are disturbed and still in disbelief after we identified the boys. No person is supposed to die like a dog. Why kill them instead of talking to us the parents and see how the mistakes can be rectified if indeed they are the ones who stole the pipes,” said the weeping mother.

Elias said all his family want is justice for the murder of Mpiyakhe.

“The police should bring these people to book. Our sons can’t die like this, and people continue with their lives,” he said.

Sedibeng Police spokeswoman Constable Thulisile Msibi said investigation are underway on both murders and no suspect has been arrested yet.