Pretoria -Tebogo Letsoalo’s sister, Letta, was found murdered at a dumping site in Mamelodi last month – and since then it has been up to him to ensure that her young son is taken care of.
After Letta died, Letsoalo has had to take over the role of caregiver to 16-month-old Phomello. Daily he ensures that his nephew is fed and bathed, but this does not stop the boy from crying for his mother.
“Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and calls for his mother. That is the most frustrating thing because what do I say to a baby?” Letsoalo said.
Letta was one of three young women from Mamelodi who were found murdered days after each other in the township by a suspected serial killer.
She was last seen alive on her way to work. Her half-naked body was later discovered at the dumping site.
Residents alleged there was a serial killer operating in the area and attacked taxi driver Caiphus Nemavhadwa for the crimes.
But police disputed the serial killer claims as they could not link Nemavhadwa to the murders.
The first body to be discovered was that of Katlego Ndlovu. She went missing after a night out in Sunnyside with her boyfriend.
It was alleged that when the couple got to Mamelodi in the evening, they got into a taxi. The driver dropped off the boyfriend first and then disappeared with Ndlovu, 23. Her body was discovered a day later.
The day after Nemavhadwa was attacked, the charred body of another unidentified young woman was discovered.
Letsoalo said the last time the family heard anything from the police was before they buried his sister. “They have not been here and we do not know what is happening.
“We just heard rumours that the man who was attacked was actually not involved in the killings and that he was discharged from hospital. There were also rumours that he is dead.”
He has not been to the police station to find out what was going on with the case, because he had lost faith in the police, he said. “I don’t trust the police. Even if I go and ask what’s going on, they will say they are investigating. Right now, my biggest concern is that my nephew is well taken care of and comfortable.”
Last Wednesday was Letta’s 25th birthday. “We did not celebrate it. I just wanted the day to end. It was really hard for me,” Letsoalo said.
Police spokeswoman Captain Doniah Mothutsane rubbished claims that police were not updating the family.
“The investigating officer is in contact with the family. He has explained that the post-mortem results take a while. Once they have been released, the families of the victims will be informed.”
Mothutsane said investigations were ongoing.
The family of the other victim, Katlego Ndlovu, are also struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives after her murder.
Her aunt Petunia Chauke said they were trying to continue with life but it was hard. “We are trying to cope but it has been very hard.”
Chauke said the police had been giving them regular feedback on the case.
Pretoria News