The searches for three missing people have ended with bodies discovered buried beneath a house in Gauteng and alongside a road in Mpumalanga. 
 
According to a report by the Boksburg Advertiser, the bodies of two missing young people were found buried at a property in Wildevy Street, Van Dyk Park, yesterday (August 30).  

Wendy Pascoe of Pascoe Investigations and Missing in Southern Africa was assisting the families of Jessica Rabe (20) and Yudistan Pillay (25). The two were reported missing at the Dawn Park Police Station on July 27. 

“I became involved in the case after it was reported that Jessica had allegedly been assaulted and her cellphone was stolen. The two had not been seen or heard from since,” said Pascoe. 

Search for missing pair 

Missing persons posters were circulated through the Van Dyk Park Community Patrollers Initiative, Boksburg 911and other community WhatsApp platforms. 

“Information received indicated that the pair were travelling on foot between Van Dyk Park and Farrar Park, where they would seek temporary accommodation at various properties, at times sleeping on the streets. However, they did not stay in one place for too long,” Pascoe said. 

On Friday (August 28), Pascoe’s investigations led to information about the whereabouts of Rabe and Pillay. 

The information was handed to the SAPS and a full-scale search and recovery operation was launched, focussing on the Wildevy Street property. 

“Members of the SAPS Search-and-Rescue as well as the Forensic Pathology Unit were deployed and extensive search operations were mobilised,” she said. 

Bodies recovered 

Shortly after 18:00, the bodies of both missing people were recovered after they were found partially buried beneath the house. 

Both people have been positively identified by their next of kin. However, the cause of death is yet to be established. 

Three suspects have been arrested as investigations continue. 

“This is not the outcome we had hoped for. The loss of two young lives is tragic. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and hope that justice will prevail,” said Pascoe. 

At the time of publication, no comment had been received from the Gauteng police. 

Body of missing Bethal man found  

In a separate incident, the body of missing Bethal man Bongani Mlambo was found along the R35 towards Middelburg this morning (August 31). 

Ridge Times reported that Mlambo was last known to be at his residence in Milan Park, eMzinoni, about a week ago. 

According to eMzinoni police, Mlambo’s colleagues became concerned after he failed to report for duty and could not be reached by phone. A colleague then went to his residence to check on him. 

No trace 

The colleague found both gates locked. After gaining access to the property, the colleague found evidence that the garage door had been tampered with.  

Mlambo could not be found and his vehicle was not in the garage. 

A vehicle tracking company recovered the vehicle in Middelburg, but Mlambo was still missing. 

eMzinoni police spokesperson Sergeant Cynthia Mtsweni said police arrested a suspect after the discovery of Mlambo’s body.  

The investigation continues. 

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