KOMATIPOORT- Friends and family members of the twenty-two people who were killed in an accident last month gathered at the Tonga State Mortuary recently to identify their loved ones. To date no results have been released and the families are curious to know the results.

Almindo Foraro, one of the family members who claim his foster brother is among the deceased, said they want to know the results no matter how long it will take. He said the findings will enable them to bury their loved ones in a dignified manner rather than to be buried by the government in an unknown place.

Foraro and his brother are said to be Mozambicans. This accident, which brought shock to families, happened near Komatipoort last month where a minibus-taxi hit a truck from behind and then burst into flames.

Mbuzini police spokesman, Constable Sibusiso Masinga with some of the confiscated cars

Most of the suspects are arrested while smuggling cigarettes, hair products and clothes from Mozambique’s illegal border posts to South Africa. Police have confiscated products, valued at R250 000, early this month. Forty-four suspects, including men and women, have been caught and released on bail pending the investigation.

Two cars, the Mazda and a white Toyota Camry, were confiscated by Mbuzini police and have been kept at Tonga station. It is reported that the cars have been used during the commission of the aforesaid offences.

Mbuzini Police’s Constable Sibusiso Masinga said: “We are still investigating the market for these products. Our investigation team is currently probing the places where the products are being sold.” The 36 year old man, Bonginkosi Nkalanga of Masibekela and his accomplices, are the latest suspects of these offences. Nkalanga was arrested a month ago and released on bail.

Tonga Police Inspector Mthunzi Moyane posing with the discovered dagga

The two men’s case was postponed to an unknown date after their appearance before the Tonga Magistrates Court on Thursday.

DRIEKOPPIES – A fourteen years old girl was raped by her brother’s friend in her family’s house last Monday at about 01:00 am. The grade nine orphan lives with her two brothers and the older brother was not at home when the incident occurred. Her other brother told her sister not to lock the door as he was going to a local tavern. The brother went with his friend to the tavern but later his friend eluded him and went back to his friend’s house where the girl was sleeping…alone. The girl allegedly heard the door opening but she thought it was her brother. She then looked up to see if it was really her brother who was coming in but got a surprise of her life. It was a half-naked man, clutching a knife in one hand. The suspect alleged jumped onto her bed and ordered her to undress; threatening to kill her if she screamed or refused to obey his orders. “He undressed and he raped me. I could not scream as I feared that he could kill me. I was a virgin until this man raped me,” said the traumatized girl. After the rape, the suspect slept next to her until the following morning when he instructed her not to tell anybody about what had happened. He also threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone.

The matter was reported to the Schoemansdal police and a rape case has since been opened. No arrest has been made though. Any one with information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect should contact Constable C.H Masilela at (013) 7810196 or 0823560618