Nkangala Athletic Academy (NAA) has lost one of their best runners, the late Ben Mahlangu (18).
According to NAA he went to an initiation school and was reported missing three months ago until his body was discovered in a dam near Belfast next to the school.
The DNA matches his mother and team coach Emmanuel Mabaso and team captain Doctor Madalane went to identify the body as well and confirmed that indeed it was Ben’s body.
Mabaso said: “Murder is being suspected and we are hoping to hear from police soon regarding the progress of investigation. Nkangala Athletics Academy will hold a memorial service soon; we will engage with the family for permission so that we can get a closure. Ben was an active Nkangala Athletic Academy athlete since 2014, was recruited by Mpumalanga Sport Academy in 2015 and represented Mpumalanga province in track, road and cross country.”
“His achievement includes Nkangala Athletic Academy junior of the year, Cross Country Mpumalanga champ in 2015 and 2016. In road running he won 13 gold’s and four silvers in 2015 and 14 gold’s and four silvers in 2016 in the 10km race as a junior. He won all eight races he participated in this year and his last race being the Gert Sibande 10 km which he ran in a morning before leaving for the initiation school and that was the last time he spent with his fellow athletes. He was excited and promised to come back with a bang and further his education next year as he had passed his Grade 12 with flying colours. He will surely be missed for his attacking style, passion about running and craziness among our team. Indeed, they robbed us, Mpumalanga and the country of a great talent.”
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https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/96911/boys-graduated-initiation-school/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/94566/problems-illegal-initiation-school/
