The mystery of the disappearance of 16-year-old Neo Mahlangu has been solved by the police after they dug up her body that had been buried in her aunt’s yard in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.
A search and rescue police team led by WO Naidoo exhumed Neo’s body about two weeks after the aunt, Andile Aalivirah Mthembu, reported him missing.
Police said 16-year-old Neo lived in Daveyton.
Neo had visited her aunt, Mthembu, in Tsakane where he was beaten to death and buried in a very deep hole. Police did not say why the teenager was brutally assaulted.
Police allege that in an attempt to cover up the dastardly deed, the aunt reported Neo missing on 16 March 2022.
After the body was found at the weekend, police arrested 36-year-old Mthembu on suspicion of committing a murder.
Allegations are that Mthembu and her 14-year-old son fatally assaulted Neo.
Police further allege that Mthembu hired workers to dig a hole in her yard under the pretext that she wanted to install a Jojo water tank.
Investigations reveal that the water tank wasn’t installed – instead Mthembu’s nephew was buried in the hole.
However, Mthembu’s young son remained haunted by what he and his mom did to his cousin.
Unable to carry the burden of guilt, the boy eventually told his uncle who lives in KwaZulu-Natal what had happened to “missing” Neo.
The boy’s confession led police to the house in Tsakane, where the body of the missing teenager’s body was exhumed.
The accused is expected to appear in court soon.
