Johannesburg – Residents of Soweto were left horrified on Thursday when the mutilated bodies of two missing children aged five and six were found in different locations.
Shocked residents were seen gathered at a park in Rockville, where one of the bodies was found.
The fear was palatable. Sombre and silent was the mood, yet one could hear questions not asked, “Who would do this to a child and why?”
The police were on the scene doing what they do when a body is found which includes:
- Securing the crime scene and preserving any evidence,
- Calling for assistance from medical and forensic experts,
- Identifying the deceased and notifying the next of kin, and
- Collecting statements from witnesses and suspects.
Narrating events leading to the murders of the two boys, Provincial Commissioner of the SA Police Service in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, said: “On the evening of Wednesday, (19 April 2023), the two boys were reported missing at Moroka Police Station”.
Lieutenant General Mawela added: “A search team involving all relevant stakeholders including search and rescue was activated.
“This morning the lifeless bodies of the kids were found mutilated.
“One was discovered in White City, while the other was discovered later in Rockville.”
He said the police in Gauteng have mobilised resources following the gruesome murder to catch the perpetrator(s).
Lieutenant General Mawela said: “It is so disheartening and disgraceful to see such little innocent lives being lost in this hideous manner.
“It cannot be that no one saw or heard nothing.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have information about this incident to please report to the police.”
A Soweto resident, who asked not to be named, told The Bulrushes that a third boy had survived the attack, but he was too frightened to say what happened.
“I’m so worried about the survivor because he’s hysterical and incomprehensible,” the resident said.
Indications were that the attackers were travelling in a vehicle, the resident said, adding that the boy who survived got away because he did not get into the car.
However, the boy was still traumatised and could not say what happened. He doesn’t remember the number plate of the car, the resident said.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who visited the families of the deceased boys on Thursday, said the boy who got away was assisting police with their investigations.
The murdered boys, who were in primary school, lived in White City in Njikelana Street and Langa Street.
To report any criminal activities, the public is urged to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111.
The police said anonymous tip-offs can also be reported on MySapsApp, which can be downloaded on any smartphone and all information received will be treated as strictly confidential.
