Family identifies one of the victims of cane-field murders
The family of one of the three victims found in a cane field about two months ago, has been identified
MALALANE – The family of one of the three victims found in a cane field about two months ago, has been identified. However, there has been no such luck with the others.
This was revealed by the spokesman for Malalane police, Sgt Bheki Nkosi, on Tuesday morning during an interview. Nkosi explained that the investigation into the murders was still ongoing, although there were still no arrests to report.
“Like we said, shortly after the very first body was discovered a task team was set up to look into this matter.” Rape was ruled as the suspect’s main motive and the killings in order to dispose of the victims in the cane fields with the intentions of covering up his tracks.
The victims appeared to have been killed by suffocation.
“The bodies will remain in the possession of the state’s forensic services until they have positively identified the victims’ families,” Nkosi explained.
He added that the state in which the bodies were discovered was delaying the identification process.
He said, “What we found there were only bones. There was not much flesh on the bodies,”
Nkosi continued to say that families of missing people have been coming in to claim the last two bodies, however none of the descriptions match those of the two victims.
“Along with the bodies we also found clothing, so although there has been an influx of people coming forward to claim the bodies, none of the given descriptions seem to match the evidence we have,” Nkosi said.
He furthermore explained that as soon as they acquired a positive identification description, the necessary steps would be taken to hand the bodies over to the families.
“When we get a positive description, we take DNA samples to send them to Pretoria for verification purposes. It is not enough to go on a description of the clothing only. We also need forensic proof that prove beyond doubt that the victim belongs to the family,” Nkosi added.
Nkosi reiterated the SAPS’s warning to young women.
He said, “There have not been any reports of any similar incidents for some time, however our warning to young and old women still stands. Avoid catching rides with strangers since we believe the suspect has a vehicle. Also avoid waking alone especially at odd hours.”
According to Nkosi the investigation is continuing .
