The mutilated bodies of the two boys, aged five and six, were discovered in separate locations in the Soweto area, Gauteng, sparking a nationwide outrage about the scourge of child murders in South Africa.
UPDATE: On Wednesday, 26 April 2023, police arrested a 50-year-old woman and her 39-year-old partner in connection with the murders of two children, Nqobile Zulu and Tshiamo Rabanye, in Soweto. “The duo has since been charged with murder. They will appear before the Protea Magistrates Court on Friday, 28 April 2023,” Police Ministry Spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said.
Soweto child murders: How two kids mutilated remains were found
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the boys, Nqobile Zulu (5) and Tshiamo Ramanye (6), were reported missing at Moroka police station on the evening of Wednesday, 19 April 2023.
A search team was activated involving several law enforcement units, including search and rescue experts. However, by then it was too late since the boys were found lifeless and mutilated on Thursday morning.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela expressed his dismay at the heinous crime and mobilised police resources to hunt down the culprits.
He also called on members of the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of the two boys.
The guardian of one of the boys, Mapiti Shabalala, spoke to News24 about his anguish and pain at the loss of Zulu.
He recounted that the boy had come home from school, had his meal, and went out to play, as usual. However, when he didn’t return home as expected, his family became worried and started looking for him. They later reported him missing at a local police station.
Shabalala’s daughter later called him to inform him that Tshiamo, who was last seen playing with Zulu, had been found dead.
He rushed to the scene, where he identified the clothes on the body as those worn by the six-year-old. Later that morning, Zulu’s body was found by local patrollers.
The police have launched an investigation into the murder and have urged members of the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
Gauteng’s community safety MEC Panyaza Lesufi expressed his concern about the possibility of a serial killer targeting children in Soweto since, according to residents, this is not the first case of mutilation in the township.
“We are trying to establish the reasons behind this. The community claimed this was not the first case. We have unleashed state resources to assist the police in hunting down those who behaved like this,” he said.