Families of missing journalist and partner want DNA test fast tracked

The families of journalist Aserie Ndlovu’s and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli are pinning their hopes on DNA tests to be conducted on the remains found in bushes in Limpopo to determine if they are those of their loved ones.

Police recovered the remains believed to be those of the missing couple in Rust de Winter, on Thursday.

The couple has been missing since the 18th of February. Police say one of the five people arrested for the couple’s disappearance led them to the area where the remains were found.

Five suspects have since been arrested in connection with their disappearance.

Police says one of the suspects led them to the area where the remains were found next to each other, just outside Rust De Winter, more than 70km from where the couple was last seen nearly three months ago.

However, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says DNA testing will still have to be conducted to confirm if the bodies are that of the missing couple.

Mdhluli’s son, Treasure, say’s police assured him that DNA testing will be prioritized.

“So far everyone is feeling very down. We are shattered in a sense and the family is taking it very hard. But we will soldier on. We were not really given a set timeframe of how long DNA will take but we were told it was going to be prioritized and the results will be back soon. So, we will just have to wait. I just submitted my swab now for the DNA sample so they will see if they will see if it matches with my mom and we will take it from there.”

Mdhluli’s aunt, Florence Manana, is calling on the justice system to impose harsh sentences on the suspects responsible for their disappearance and alleged murders.

“We want to see justice being served. It’s so painful that this happened it is the way it has. But we are praying and we want to see those who are responsible being taken to task and I feel that they have to be where they belong because if people can do such a thing, they don’t belong to the society and the community.”

Manana is also calling on police to ensure that their case is watertight against the accused.

“We want them to work faster as like in yesterday, because it’s been long since February to now. We can’t sleep and sometimes we don’t even think about this. We want them to work work work. We want closure and just to finish about this and maybe to try to move on.”

Two of the suspects are expected to appear back in the dock on Monday next week.