Police in eMzinoni, a township near Bethal in Mpumalanga, have urged residents to work with law enforcement to combat violent crime following several recent killings in the area, reports the Ridge Times.

The call came during a Heritage Day (September 24) march and prayer organised by eMzinoni police to raise awareness of gender-based violence and femicide, domestic violence and child abuse.

Police were joined by community members, churches, community organisations and other government departments during the event.

Sergeant Cynthia Mtshweni, the eMzinoni police spokesperson and social crime prevention officer, said recent killings highlighted the need for police and the community to work together.

“Our own operation as police can’t alone end GBV and other crimes within our community; we need our community involvement and prayer,” said Mtshweni.

“In previous weeks, we had incidents where people were killed here in eMzinoni, meaning we have a problem.”

Court proceedings in missing man’s murder

One of the recent cases involved Bongani Mlambo, whose body was found along the R35 towards Middelburg last month after he was reported missing.

Mlambo was last seen at his residence in Milan Park, eMzinoni, between August 25 and 26.

According to eMzinoni police, his colleagues became concerned when he failed to report for duty and could not be reached by phone.

A colleague went to his home and found both gates locked. After gaining access to the property, the colleague found signs that the garage door had been tampered with. Mlambo was missing and his vehicle was no longer in the garage.

A vehicle tracking company later recovered the vehicle in Middelburg, while Mlambo remained missing.

Tsepo Mokoena (29) was arrested on the same day Mlambo’s body was discovered. He was charged with murder and kidnapping.

Mokoena abandoned his bail application when he appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on September 15. His case was postponed to October 20 for further investigation.

The IPID probes suspect’s death in custody

Another murder investigation followed the discovery of Thembi Lukhele’s body in a veld in Ext 11 informal settlement in eMzinoni during the early hours of September 7.

Lukhele (46) had sustained multiple stab wounds.

According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Mavela Masondo, the investigation led to the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect later that day. The suspect subsequently died while in police custody.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.

Inquest into burnt baby remains

Police are also investigating the discovery of the charred remains of a baby in eMzinoni in April.

On April 4, community members alerted police after seeing a man dumping the contents of a plastic bag into a trench next to a road and setting it alight.

According to Mtshweni, the man stirred the fire and ensured that the contents were burnt before leaving.

People walking past the site later discovered that the remains were those of a baby.

Mtshweni said police are treating the case as an inquest and the identity of the child remains unknown.

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