FIVE men suspected of cannibalism are awaiting their next court date after abandoning their bail application.
However, the fact that the suspects from Estcourt, KZN will remain behind bars has done little to relieve Thembi Khoza of her misery.
The 42-year-old mum is waiting for DNA results to confirm whether human remains found in the house of the suspects belong to her missing daughter.
Thembi’s daughter, Minenhle (17), disappeared over a month ago after going to visit a relative who lives in Estcourt.
“I can’t shake the thought that my girl was probably slaughtered and eaten as a meal. After she failed to return home, I phoned our relative to ask where she was and I was told she had left to take a taxi. But she never arrived home,” said the mum.
“She had never stayed away before. Nobody seems to have seen her. I searched for her everywhere before reporting the matter to the police.”
She told the SunTeam she assumed her daughter had become a victim of the cannibals because she had disappeared without trace.
The five suspects were arrested last month after one of them handed himself over to the cops.
A police investigation led to the discovery of human body parts at a house in Estcourt. The suspects were charged with murder and are due back in court in two weeks.
KZN police spokeswoman Colonel Thembeka Mbhele confirmed that Minenhle was reported missing. She said several families with missing relatives had come forward.
“We have taken DNA samples from all these families for comparison. At this stage, the remains in the house have not been identified.”
