Blood samples a positive link to missing mom (17)

LIMPOPO – The story of a 17-year-old mother who was kidnapped together with her baby in September 2015, has taken a turn for the worst after blood samples near the alleged scene of the crime confirmed her identity.

Masingita Chabane (46), a traffic officer stationed at the Malamulele Traffic Department, and her co-accused, Steven Sithole are facing charges of kidnapping of a minor, and abduction after Hlulani Maswanganyi (17) and her baby disappeared.

While police discovered a badly burned body at Nandoni Dam two months after the incident, DNA tests proved the body belonged to a male person. However, blood samples at the scene of the crime, pointed out by the two suspects, recently proved to be that of the missing girl.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Ronel Otto, two blood samples found in Levubu Dam tested positive.

“We confirm that the DNA results from the blood samples we got in Levubu Dam, where the suspects said they got rid of the knife, tested positive for the girl’s DNA. We haven’t found the body yet and investigations are ongoing in this regard,” said Otto.

Beta Khosa, Maswanganyi’s aunt said the family was disappointed. “We thought we would get closure, but her body has not been found. We want Hlulani whether dead or alive. Masingita must just tell us where she took our child,” said Khosa.

Xikundu village community leader, David Mahlawule said they believed justice would prevail.

“All we want is Hlulani and as the community, we will continue to support the Maswanganyi family during this difficult time, and we don’t want to see this perpetrators out”.

Chabane and her co-accused made a brief appearance in the Saselamani Magistrate’s Court on 23 March, where they were denied bail.

The case was postponed to 26 May.