Three bodies recovered in separate Gauteng and Mpumalanga investigations

Investigations are under way after searches for missing people ended with three bodies recovered in separate incidents in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Two bodies found under house in Van Dyk Park

Searches led to the recovery of the bodies of Jessica Rabe (20) and Yudistan Pillay (25) beneath a property on Wildevy Street in Van Dyk Park on August 30. Both had been reported missing at the Dawn Park Police Station on July 27.

Wendy Pascoe of Pascoe Investigations and Missing in Southern Africa assisted the families and helped generate leads that were handed to the South African Police Service. “I became involved in the case after it was reported that Jessica had allegedly been assaulted and her cellphone was stolen,” Pascoe said, according to reporting.

Members of the SAPS Search-and-Rescue unit and the Forensic Pathology Unit were deployed for the recovery operation. The bodies were located shortly after 18:00 and were found partially buried beneath the house. Both victims were positively identified by their next of kin. The cause of death has not yet been established.

Three suspects have been arrested and inquiries are continuing. “This is not the outcome we had hoped for. The loss of two young lives is tragic. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and hope that justice will prevail,” Pascoe said.

At the time of publication, the Gauteng police had not provided a comment.

Body of missing Bethal man found along R35

In a separate incident, the body of Bongani Mlambo was found along the R35 towards Middelburg on August 31. Mlambo was last known to be at his residence in Milan Park, eMzinoni, about a week before his body was discovered.

According to eMzinoni police, colleagues became concerned after Mlambo failed to report for duty and could not be reached by phone. A colleague who checked his residence found both gates locked and evidence that the garage door had been tampered with. Mlambo’s vehicle was not at the property but was later recovered in Middelburg by a vehicle tracking company. After Mlambo’s body was found, police arrested a suspect and the investigation continues.

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Ongoing inquiries

Police investigations are ongoing in both Gauteng and Mpumalanga as authorities work to determine the causes of death and the circumstances surrounding each case.