Africa-Press – Eswatini. A chilling revelation emerged on Friday, confirming the sombre reality that has gripped the Ngwane Park community in Eswatini.
Human bones discovered beneath a tree in Mabhodini were positively identified as belonging to 23-year-old Nkosisivile Lushaba, who had been missing since April 11. This discovery marks the fifth confirmed death among eight individuals reported missing across the nation in recent months.
The finding came to light when a local resident noticed a rope hanging from a tree near his parents’ home. Upon investigation, he uncovered hip bones and a human skull nearby. The police were promptly notified, and a comprehensive search over the weekend revealed additional skeletal remains, including ribs and hand bones scattered in the vicinity. Sources indicate that the separation of the bones from the tree suggests that animals may have disturbed the remains.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, Chief of Police Information and Communications, confirmed that identification was made through clothing found near the remains, which Nkosisivile was last seen wearing. Despite significant decomposition, family members were able to identify the garments, providing some closure amidst their deep sorrow.Community searches following Nkosisivile’s disappearance yielded no leads in the dense summer foliage; however, recent dry winter conditions have revealed the burial site, illustrating how seasonal changes hindered early detection.
Nkosisivile’s father, Babe Lushaba, chose not to comment, stating that it was too soon for the family to engage publicly. The community remains profoundly unsettled following the series of disappearances.
This case is part of a disturbing trend in Eswatini. Of the eight individuals reported missing in recent months, five have been discovered deceased under varying circumstances:
Thandiwe Zulu, 19: A student who vanished in May was found drowned near a riverbank in June. Authorities deemed her death accidental.
Mandla Dlamini, 34: Disappeared in March; his body was located in April near an abandoned sugar estate, with exposure believed to be the cause.
Sibongile Maseko, 27: Missing since early April, she was discovered in a shallow grave outside Manzini in May; a homicide investigation is ongoing.
Jacob Ngcobo, 45: Missing since February, he was found dead in his car near Siteki, with an autopsy pending.
The recent discovery of Nkosisivile Lushaba’s remains brings the total confirmed deaths to five.
Three others are still unaccounted for, heightening public anxiety:
Nandi Dube, 21: A mother last seen walking with her six-month-old baby in Siphofaneni in July. Although her cellphone and handbag were recovered near her home, no other leads have surfaced.
The infant of Naledi, who went missing alongside Nandi Dube, remains missing, raising concerns for the child’s safety.
Menzi Shongwe, 29: Disappeared from his rural home near Lavumisa in late July. Despite ongoing searches, he has yet to be found.
Authorities continue to encourage the public to share any information, with Senior Superintendent Vilakati specifically appealing for tips regarding Naledi, her baby, and Menzi. People can report details at local police stations or through the national tip-off hotline.
Additionally, the situation has become more alarming as police in Lukhozi arrested 28-year-old Xolane Mandisa Mathunjwa, charged with the poisoning death of his girlfriend, Ayanda Ginindza. According to authorities, Mathunjwa confessed to adding pesticide to Ginindza’s food to incapacitate her temporarily for theft, but the poisoning turned fatal.Since his arrest, reports have emerged linking Mathunjwa to other suspicious deaths involving poisoned relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Investigators are actively exploring whether these cases indicate a broader pattern of serial poisonings. He is also suspected of killing the mother of a former partner to claim her pension benefits, prompting police to scrutinise pension records for potential fraudulent claims.
Additional allegations involve the theft of E15,000 following the death of a previous girlfriend, with detectives tracing financial transactions and gathering witness testimonies.
While police maintain that these allegations are still under investigation, the revelations highlight a disturbing and intricate crime wave unsettling communities nationwide.
Eswatini’s law enforcement agencies face increasing pressure to resolve these cases, ensure public safety, and restore community confidence. The cooperation of the community in providing information could be crucial.
This series of missing persons and suspicious deaths highlights broader security and social challenges that require coordinated action from both the government and the community, emphasising the need for proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable citizens.
As the nation confronts grief and fear, the demand for justice grows ever louder. The future of Eswatini hinges on untangling these dark tragedies and ensuring the safety of all its citizens.
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