By Buziwe Nocuze
- Onako Bhetese, 18, was taken by three men on his way to school and later found dead with gunshot wounds in Marikana informal settlement.
- A relative says the family is devastated as Onako was preparing for initiation school in December and they do not know who killed him.
Onako Bhetese, 18, was on his way to Phakama High School when three unknown men abducted him. Hours later, he was found dead in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East.
A family member who did not want to be named said they heard gunshots at about 9am.
“We last saw him when he was going to school. I heard two gunshots, but I never thought they were killing my nephew,” the relative said.
The family described him as a loving young man.
“We are devastated, especially as he was preparing to attend initiation school in December. We do not know who did this or why,” the family member said.
They added that he still had his school bag when his body was found.
Community member Lwando Ngcelu said Marikana is being used as a dumping ground for bodies.
“If we are not waking up to unknown bodies, people are abducted in their areas and killed here. They want us to look bad for things we do not even know,” said Ngcelu.
Onako’s murder is not the only recent killing in Marikana. Earlier in the week, a woman was found with a stab wound in her neck and her right ear missing.
“Lower Crossroads needs prayers and soldiers because criminals do not fear the police anymore. There was even a shootout between police and criminals this week. We do not feel safe,” said Ngcelu.
Pictured above: A grade 10 learner from Phakama High School was abducted while on his way to school. He was later found murdered in Marikana informal settlement.
Image source: Buziwe Nocuze
