Decomposed bodies found in yard while child (3) spent days inside locked house

POLOKWANE – Nebo police in Sekhukhune district are investigating a case of murder and inquest after a 38-year-old african male and a 34-year-old woman were found dead at their residence in Ga Marishane Dihlaganeng section on Wednesday, 14 and Thursday 15 February 2024 respectively.

Police received information from the neighbours about a house with an unpleasant smell. Upon arrival at the said house, the doors were locked, and they knocked with no answer. They forced entry and found a man hanging from the roof with a rope, in an advance state of decomposition, with a three-year-old girl child still alive. She immediately rushed to the police after the door opened, and she was taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

It is further reported that a suicide note was found in the house. The Search and Rescue Unit and K9 Unit were summoned to the scene to help with the partner’s search. During the search on Thursday evening, the police noticed a shallow grave close to the house that was filled with firewood. Upon digging up the grave, the body of a woman, wrapped in blankets, was discovered. It was in an advanced state of decomposition.

A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the deaths. The deceased were identified as Johannes Mahlaba (38) and Magabjane Cecilia Maila (34). The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the incidents, calling upon couples having domestic related problems to seek help from relevant professionals to avoid unnecessary loss of life. Police investigations are still continuing.