Police have made a breakthrough in the murders of Soweto toddlers, Tshiamo Rabanye and Mduduzi Nqobizitha Zulu

Police have made a breakthrough in the murders of Soweto toddlers Tshiamo Rabanye and Mduduzi Nqobizitha Zulu. 

In a search carried out by the SAPS and the K9 Unit unconfirmed reports suggest that more bodies were uncovered at the residence of a 50 yr old woman and a 39yr old suspects.

A 50-year-old woman and her 39-year-old partner have been arrested in connection with the murders of two young Soweto boys.

Nqobizitha Zulu, 5, and Tshiamo Rabanye, 6, were mutilated and their bodies found 1.4km apart in Rockville and White City, respectively, by residents after a nearly 24-hour search last week.

The breakthrough comes after a forensic investigation at the boys’ homes on Tuesday, police said.

Both boys’ hands and noses had been cut off and their throats had been slit. Police said at the time that the two friends were possible victims of muthi killings.

Speaking to News24 last week, Zulu’s guardian, Mapiti Shabalala said she had last seen him after he arrived from school. 

“He came, ate and left to play, as usual. He didn’t return home at 17:30 as expected. I then became worried.”

We went to Tshiamo’s home nearby, where they said they had both left.

“We then went to the police station. We informed [Nqobizitha’s] mother, who said she also hadn’t seen him.

“Residents then became anxious and assisted in the search for the missing boys. His mother returned the following day around 03:30, saying they couldn’t be found.”

“[Nqobizitha’s] mother and neighbours spent the night looking for the missing boys. They later gave up and reported them missing at a local police station,” Shabalala said.