The tragic murders of two young children, Junior Mabandla (6) and Peaceful Khoza (3), have left the community of Ncane in Pienaar, Mpumalanga, mourning and demanding justice. The bodies of the children were discovered last week after a chilling confession from their 18-year-old neighbor, Siviwe Thulare, who admitted to murdering the victims and burying them in shallow graves.
The heartbreaking details of the crimes have sent shockwaves through the community. Junior Mabandla had been missing for a month before his body was found buried on top of another person’s grave in a local cemetery. Thulare, who was assaulted by the community after the discovery, later confessed to also killing Peaceful Khoza, burning her body, and burying it in a separate shallow grave.
The funeral service, held at the Old Apostle Church, was a somber affair, with Junior’s uncle, Innocent Mnisi, expressing his disappointment in the police for their perceived lack of urgency in apprehending the suspect. Community leader Happiness Mathebula also urged the community to unite and investigate the possibility of others being involved in the murders, as some of the victims’ body parts were reportedly missing, suggesting a potential link to the illegal trade of human remains.
The case has sparked outrage and grief within the community, with many seeking closure and justice for the tragic loss of these innocent young lives. As the judicial process continues, the people of Ncane in Pienaar are determined to ensure that the perpetrator and any potential accomplices are held accountable for the horrific crimes that have devastated their neighborhood.
