The police’s forensic results have shed light on two separate murders of young women, Thato Tumahole from Welkom and Sibongile Portia Ngwana from Bloemfontein.
In both cases, the police had difficulty in confirming the victims’ identities. Their bodies had been set ablaze by the killers, seemingly to destroy evidence.
Ngwana’s charred remains were discovered in an open veld near the M10 road in Bloemfontein in January; while that of Tumahole, a Gr. 12 learner at Welkom High School, were found at an abandoned mine shaft in Welkom on 22 May.
Brig. Motantsi Makhele, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the forensic results in Tumahole’s case were received on 30 May, followed by the DNA confirmation in Ngwana’s case on 5 June.
Makhele said the state had added charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and violating a human corpse against murder suspect Mamello Katleho Seape (22), regarding the murder of Tumahole. Initially, he faced a charge of kidnapping.
Seape reappeared in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 7 June, facing all charges and to apply for bail.
“He abandoned his bail application, and the case was postponed to 12 July for further investigation,” said Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson for the police in Lejweleputswa.
It emerged Seape had been in a relationship with the victim.
He was arrested after confessing to have dumped Tumahole’s body in a disused shaft. The remains were retrieved by a mine rescue team and police members.
Tumahole was reported missing by her parents after she had last been seen on 10 May, leaving home to visit friends.
Sibongile Portia Ngwana
The two suspects arrested regarding Ngwana’s murder are expected to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 18 June. Thabang Matekane (27) and Lefu Lebeea (33) were arrested in January this year. The two Lesotho nationals are remanded in custody while investigation continues.
Ngwana was reported missing on 28 November last year.
