KaNyamazane – Three suspects accused of kidnapping a 36-year-old Bonisiwe Mabuza, whose body was later exhumed from a shallow grave, have appeared in the KaNyamazane Periodical Court, Mpumalanga.
Two accused – a 33-year-old Marvellous Tshepo Madonsela and a 34-year-old Mbuyiseni Isaac Sikhiti – appeared in court on Wednesday, (3 July 2024), where they were remanded in custody.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, (2 July 2024), another accused, 28-year-old Petunia Mhlanga appeared in court.
Mhlanga was released on R500 bail and warned to return to court when the trial resumes next month on 14 August 2024.
The trio faces several charges including, kidnapping, robbery, and murder.
Matters came to a head on Monday, this week, when Bonisiwe’s remains were exhumed from a shallow grave at the cemetery in Luphisa, near Pienaar.
The deceased was initially reported missing a week ago after her VW Polo was found stripped of wheels in the bushes in Pienaar.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said other items were missing from Bonisiwe’s house.
“Unfortunately, the body of Ms. Bonisiwe Mabuza was exhumed at Luphisa graveyard after she went missing and only [for police] to learn later that she was murdered and then buried in a shallow grave allegedly by her assailants,” Colonel Mdhluli said.
“On the day she was reported missing, her VW Polo was found in a secluded place in Pienaar and all wheels of her vehicle were removed as well as a site mirror and a backseat.
“Some items inside her house were also missing, these include a TV set and a fridge.”
