By: Natasha Archary

A search for missing 6-year old Junior Mabandla ended in tragedy after the boy’s remains were found buried in someone else’s grave.
On Wednesday, 03 July exactly a month since Junior went missing in Pienaar, Mpumalanga, an 18-year old man was arrested after community members assaulted him.
The man had reportedly pointed out the grave where he confessed to burying Junior. Police say the suspect is linked to the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 3-year old from the area who was burnt to death.
Junior Mabandla was last seen on 03 June after he left his house to buy sweets with friends and never returned home.
Police say the suspect is currently receiving medical treatment under police guard.
“Police were called to a scene in Pienaar where some members of the community had gathered and apprehended a man who related to them that he was somehow involved in the disappearance of two children, a three-year-old girl who was sought by her family on 03 July 2024 as well as Junior Mabandla who went missing for exactly a month.
Eventually, members of the police reached a place where it is believed the little boy could have been buried.”
Junior’s remains were found in a shopping bag together with his clothes.
A motive for the children’s murders is unknown and the suspect will only be formally charged after his release from hospital.
#sapsMP #Missing Junior Mabandla (06) was last seen leaving his home in Pienaar on 03/06 when he reportedly went to buy some sweets from a nearby spaza shop.Anyone wtih information, contact Lt Col Tinyiko Mnisi 082 079 2237, #CrimeStop or #MySAPSApp. NPhttps://t.co/BFtXzr3p5C pic.twitter.com/cSh8F834tT
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 4, 2024
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