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Burnt body identified as missing Polokwane woman

Veronica Mapula Mahanyele's (47) charred body was found near Christina village, ga-Maraba on Tuesday, 6 February.

POLOKWANE – Police in Mashashane, outside Polokwane, have launched a manhunt for unknown suspect(s) who killed Mahanyele, whose charred body was found inside a burnt car earlier in the week.

Read more: Another body found in a burnt out vehicle in a Limpopo village

Mahanyele, whose Toyota double cab was found burnt at Christina village at ga-Maraba, was reported missing on Thursday, 8 February.

According to police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, Mahanyele’s family became concerned after she did not return back from work on Monday, 5 February, and reported the matter to the police three days later.

“She was reportedly alone when she left for work that Monday, but allegedly never reached her workplace,” he said.

The deceased is from Phofu village ,Ga-Matlala and was identified by her family members, who also confirmed that the burnt vehicle belonged to the deceased.

Photo: Lim SAPS

“Police investigations, however, will conclusively determine the ownership,” Ngoepe said.

He added that a postmortem for the deceased and DNA examination of the charred remains found in her car will be conducted to assist with further investigations.

“The motive for this incident is unknown at this stage, but police investigations are continuing. Anyone who can shed light on the incident is requested to contact the Branch Commander of Mashashane police station, Warrant Officer Galane at 0823008134, or Captain Richard Boshomane at 0798945501 or call the toll free number 0860010111.”

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, has condemned what he says is inhumane and barbaric conduct perpetrated by faceless assailants and urged the team of investigators that has been established to be relentless in tracking down the culprit(s).

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Raeesa Sempe

Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard

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