Forensic test results have confirmed the remains of a woman who were found on the M10 are those of Sibongile Portia Ngwana, who was reported missing last year.

The charred remains were found on 4 January this year. On Wednesday (5/6), police received a report confirming the remains were those of Ngwana, said Free State SAPS spokesperson Motantsi Makhele.

Ngwana was reported missing in November at the Mangaung police station following the disappearance of several other women and girls in the Free State. Lesego Mamello Motaung (22) went missing 30 October last year. Her aunt reported her missing at the Park Road Police Station. Lerato Masiu (23) is still missing after her mother last saw her on 16 November.

Machaka Radebe (16) was laid to rest after a passer-by discovered her body, two days after she was reported missing in December. 

Makhele said two suspects aged 27 and 33 were arrested for Ngwana’s murder after investigations. The two appeared in court and were remanded in custody to allow DNA results to be acquired.

The two suspects will again appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 18 June. Investigations continue.

Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana expressed concern last year about the scourge of gender violence, kidnapping and murder of women and children in the province. He referred to it as a dark shadow that requires serious attention.

“We fight gender violence. We fight all these things. We fight corruption. We convey the message, that the only way to solve a problem is by fighting it. When we have something we cannot overcome, we resort to violence,” he said.

Two weeks ago, police reported that Thato Tumahole’s boyfriend was arrested in Welkom six days after her disappearance. Rumours circulated on social media that Tumahole had passed away.

Human remains were discovered in one of the mine shafts and sent for forensic investigations to determine if they were those of a missing matric pupil.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg