Recent killings in eMzinoni prompt march and prayers
Sergeant Cynthia Mtshweni says the police need the community's involvement in the fight against crime.
Police in eMzinoni, joined by the community and other government departments, community organisations and churches, used Heritage Day to march and pray against gender-based violence and femicide, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Addressing the community about the purpose, Sergeant Cynthia Mtshweni, eMzinoni police spokesperson and social crime prevention officer, said that following the latest murders in the area, police saw a need for the prayer and march in mobilising the community to join hands in a fight against GBVF and domestic violence.
“Our own operation as police can’t alone end GBV and other crimes within our community; we need our community involvement and prayer.
“In previous weeks, we had incidents where people were killed here in eMzinoni, meaning we have a problem,” said Mtshweni.
The body of Bongani Mlambo was found along the R35 towards Middelburg last month after being reported as missing. Mlambo was last seen at his residence in Milan Park, eMzinoni, between August 25 and 26.
According to the eMzinoni police, Mlambo’s colleagues became concerned after he failed to report for duty and could not be reached telephonically. A colleague then went to his residence to check on his whereabouts.
The colleague found both gates locked.
When they gained access to the property, they 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. Tsepo Mokoena (29) was arrested the same day Mlambo’s body was discovered and was charged with murder and kidnapping.
Mokoena abandoned his bail application when he appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on September 15 in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Mlambo, and his case was postponed to October 20 for further investigation.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a murder suspect who died while in police custody in eMzinoni.
This follows the discovery of the body of Thembi Lukhele (46), who had sustained multiple stab wounds, in a veld in Extension 11 informal settlement, eMzinoni, during the early hours of September 7.
ALSO CHECK: Behind the byline: How our journalists bring care, rigour and truth to Ridge Times and Standerton Advertiser
A murder case was opened at the eMzinoni Police Station, and according to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, the subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect later that same day.
However, the suspect died while in police custody.
eMzinoni police are also investigating a disturbing case that happened in April involving the charred remains of a baby.
Officers on duty on April 4 were alerted by community members to the gruesome discovery on 8th Street.
According to Mtshweni, eyewitnesses saw a man dumping the contents of a plastic bag into a trench next to the road.
He then set it alight. The man was seen stirring the fire. He made sure everything was burnt before leaving. People walking past the burn site then noticed it was the body of a baby and alerted the police.
Mtshweni said the police are treating the matter as an inquest and the identity of the child is still unknown.
Mtshweni said these crimes require the police and community to work together and pray for Godly intervention.
