Long wait for families of murder victims
State mortuaries have yet to release the bodies of Aviwe Mondile, whose body was found on January 27, and Zinhle Ndala, who died in early February, to their families for burial.
|||Pretoria - Two families who waited in agony after their relatives went missing have to wait even longer.
Their loved ones’ bodies were discovered but are yet to be released from government mortuaries.
The body of Aviwe Mondile, 21, was discovered on January 27 and her family was informed soon thereafter. However, they are yet to lay her to rest as they still have to receive her body.
The family identified her body at Ga-Rankuwa government mortuary, but funeral arrangements could not be made as the police are reportedly busy with forensics on the body.
Aviwe was reported missing on December 28 after getting into a car near her home in Soshanguve Block T. Her aunt, Dorah Mondile, described the scene where her body was found at Tswaing Crater as traumatic.
“Her head was shaven with all her extensions pulled out, while her eyes were almost gouged out. Her mouth was wide open and her tongue was black; her lips were cracked. It seemed like her stomach was also rubbed with an excessive amount of oil and her skin was a shade darker than normal.”
She said an electrical cord was also found near her body.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that a satanic ritual was performed before she died.”
Another family is also grappling to find closure while their daughter’s body lies in a government mortuary.
Zinhle Ndala, 9, was found in a stormwater drain a few blocks from her home in Mamelodi East after she was reported missing on January 4.
Her body was found on February 12 and her family identified the body three days later.
Aunt Mavis Ndala said the family were relieved they could now find some semblance of closure. “I still feel like this is all a dream that I can’t wake up from. She was still wearing her green T-shirt and blue jeans. Her hair still looked very neat.”
But Zinhle is yet to be buried. “The police said they were still conducting forensic investigations and would contact us when the investigations were concluded.”
Police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the SAPS forensic service division was not responsible for forensic pathology nor keeping human remains for examinations. “It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to conduct autopsies or forensic pathology examinations. Our division only collects samples for analysis such as DNA. The bodies are released by government mortuaries; not SAPS.”
“The DNA profiling for such cases is normally prioritised. The content of such report cannot be shared with the media due to the sensitivity and confidentiality to the affected persons and family.”
Gauteng Department of Health spokesman Steve Mabona could be not reached for comment.
goitsemang.tlhabye@inl.co.za
Pretoria News