Family dealt double blow as teacher's body parts disappear

The family of a slain Limpopo teacher has suffered a double blow after her remains disappeared at a government mortuary.

Precious Magabane, 33, who taught at Kabisi Primary School in Burgersfort, was reported missing in December 2018 and later some of her discarded remains were discovered at various locations alongside the Lydenburg Road last year.

Magabane’s discovered body parts that were allegedly pointed out by her boyfriend and his friend included head, torso and intestines that were later kept at the Lebowakgomo government mortuary.

However, Magabane’s family were shocked last week when they realised some of her remains were missing from the mortuary as they were preparing for her burial yesterday.

Her sister, Jennifer Zungu, said the family was still reeling in shock from Magabane’s gruesome death.

“We arranged with our funeral parlour to fetch the remains but when we arrived at Lebowakgomo government mortuary we were told that they can’t find some of her body parts. Then on Thursday last week after many failed attempts to get answers, we decided to open a criminal case,” she said.

Zungu said mortuary officials told her that Magabane’s body parts were taken for further forensic investigation in Pretoria.

“There was no written evidence to support the statement that her body is in Pretoria, hence we opened a case with the police. We were hoping to close this chapter but now it had opened deep wounds,” she said.

ANC Women’s League regional secretary in Sekhukhune Baatseba Leshaba, who attended Magabane’s symbolic funeral on Saturday, said they stood by the family in this trying period.

“We expected to bury our child but we ended up holding a  ceremony without a coffin. As the league we say no family should suffer like this and we call on our courts to serve justice to the family,” she said.

Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that police in Lebowakgomo were investigating a case of theft.

Limpopo police arrested Magabane’s boyfriend and his two friends.

Provincial health department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana told Sowetan that the department was conducting its own investigation.