Community fears more bodies lie in Ferrobank bushes after three found last week
Community disappointed as the Ferrobank search party turned out not to be as they had planned.
Deep concern is mounting among residents following the discovery of three decomposed bodies last week at an old mine in Ferrobank.
Now, members of the community say they strongly believe that more bodies could still be hidden in the surrounding bush, and they are calling for a renewed and more coordinated search effort.
What was meant to be a united ground search earlier today, involving Vosman SAPS, the Middelburg K9 Unit, and concerned residents, ended in frustration when the operation was abruptly called off. For many in the community, the cancellation of the search only deepened their fears and disappointment.
Vosman SAPS launch search party following triple body discovery in bushes at Ferrobank
Read more here: https://t.co/1UN5sDiUM3#WitbankNews #emalahleni #Ferrobank— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) October 15, 2025
“We had asked the SAPS to help us search, as we still believe that there are still more people who might be found dead, but unfortunately, it did not go according to plan,” said a resident, Xolani Mabaso.
The initial discovery that sparked the search occurred on October 9, when police, while tracing a missing person in the open fields of Ferrobank, stumbled upon a severely decomposed body.
Just hours later, a second body was found in close proximity, after residents tipped off police about a suspicious area nearby.
Two days later, on October 12, a third body was discovered. This final victim was later confirmed to be the very person police were originally searching for.
“As members of the community, we are really saddened about what transpired,” Mabaso added.
Decomposed bodies number tally up in the Ferrobank bushes – 3 bodies now found
Read more here: https://t.co/AZVWsKBKyp#Witbanknews #emalahleni #Missing #Vosman #SAPS— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) October 13, 2025
The station police spokesperson, Captain Vusi Mnisi, said, “Due to a misunderstanding with the officials from the mine, we called off the search party so that we can go back to the drawing board and plan the way forward together with the community, and we are willing to do things accordingly.”
Captain Mnisi has urged residents to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation, no matter how minor it may seem, as the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three individuals remain unknown.
Vosman SAPS pleads for the public’s assistance in identifying two bodies found decomposed in the bushes
Read more here: https://t.co/P3zhn9cejR#Witbanknews #emalahleni #Vosman #SAPS #MissingPerson— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) October 13, 2025
The other two bodies remain unidentified at the pathology centre, and police are calling on anyone with a missing relative to come forward and help with the identification. You can contact the station at 079 891 5314 or 013 244 7140.
@witbanknews Concerned community members have expressed heartbreak and frustration after police halted a search operation at an old local mine in Ferrobank – just days after three decomposed bodies were discovered in the bushes. #witbanknews #witbank #ferrobank #decomposedbodies #saps ♬ original sound – witbanknews
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