Soweto residents out in droves for mutilated boys’ final farewell

Nqobizitha Zulu and his cousin, Tshiamo Rabanye, were laid to rest today after a moving joint funeral service. The service was held at the Jabavu Stadium in Soweto, not far from where their bodies were found last week.

The boys, aged five and six respectively, were found with their throats slit. Their noses, lips and genitals were missing.

Droves of community members, including members of civil society, attended the boys’ last send-off. In a moving tribute to the boys, Nqobizitha Zulu’s uncle, Xolani, said the family was in unbearable pain and he hoped that the killers of the cousins face the full might of the law.

He urged Nqobizitha to defeat his enemies just like his name suggests and fight until justice is served.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and provincial Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, were among those in attendance.

While Lesufi thanked the frustrated Soweto community for not taking the law into their own hands in the matter, Chiloane slammed the country’s criminal justice system for failing to serve as a deterrent to crime.

Chiloane reiterated calls for criminals to be treated in accordance with their crimes.

The two children’s burial coincided with the court appearance of the couple that’s suspected of having committed the brutal murders.

Nqobile Ndlovu (50) and her 39-year-old partner, Mthunzi Zulu, were remanded in custody after a brief appearance in the Protea Magistrate’s Court earlier today.

They face charges of murder, mutilation, and kidnapping, among others.

Ndlovu is 6-year-old Tshiamo Rabanye’s grandmother.

Residents believe Ndlovu and Zulu killed the boys for muthi purposes. They have previously expressed fear, saying such incidents were becoming common in the community.