Cape Town – A mother, father and son were stoned to death after the body of an eight-year-old girl was found inside a pit toilet at their premises in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The victim’s vehicles and home were also burnt during the incident that happened at Senotlelo in Vaalbank, Mpumalanga.
Nomsa Sambo,8, was reported missing by her family at the Vaalbank police station on February 12, said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala in a statement.
“Thereafter, information emerged about a man who was allegedly seen carrying Nomsa to his house. Police then responded to the information and on Monday, February 13, 2023 they took him for questioning.
“A kidnapping case was opened in that regard. However, the man denied all the allegations. There was insufficient evidence by then to charge him hence he was later released,” Mohlala said.
He said on Saturday morning, information revealed that the missing child was inside a pit toilet.
#sapsMP Man (53), his girlfriend (51) and her son (32) were stoned to death at Senotlelo in Vaalbank early this morning. One of the men was suspected of kidnapping and murdering a girl (08), whose body was found in a pit toilet at his residence. NPhttps://t.co/hs7bRhT6Vj pic.twitter.com/GawdJYBBO0
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) February 18, 2023
“Police from Vaalbank as well as members from search and rescue team, rushed to the scene and upon arrival they found (the) lifeless bodies of three individuals, two males and one female on the street.
“The bodies reportedly had serious injuries, which suggest that they could have been stoned and the medical personnel came to the scene as well where they were certified dead. Police also discovered that two vehicles, a Ford Bantam as well as a VW Jetta 4 were burnt to ashes.”
He said the child was eventually retrieved from the pit toilet and she was certified dead.
“The three were since identified as Mr Zele Papo Machika, 53, his female friends, Ms Pauline Maubane, 51, as well as their son, Mr Thabo Maubane, 32. The Police later learnt that the torched vehicles belonged to Thabo Maubane.”
The case of kidnapping has since been changed to murder.
“No one has been arrested so far and police are investigating this horrific incident.” said Mohlala.
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Picture: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
