Mbhele murderes must be brought to justice 31 - 10 - 06

Mbhele murderers must be brought to justice

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Gauteng condemns the continuing failure of the police and prosecuting authorities to convict anyone for the brutal rape and murder of Nelisiwe and Lindiwe Mbhele, in June last year in Pimville, Soweto.

Yesterday charges of rape, murder and kidnapping against three men were withdrawn in the Johannesburg High Court because of a lack of evidence; the prosecutor said DNA results indicated that the men were not linked to the rape.

COSATU sends its sympathy to the girls' father, Esaw Mbhele, the Gauteng Provincial Chairperson of the SA Municipal Workers Union, and the rest of the family, who are still waiting to see justice done more than a year after their tragic loss

We agree with Esaw that the police have not done their work. As he told the Sowetan: "The community told the police to search Nancefield hostel for the girls. But they refused. Had they done that, maybe our children would still be here". He said the police did not handle the investigation properly, "because the suspects who were initially arrested and released were the same people who were later rearrested when the matter was reopened".

COSATU welcomes the police's assurance that the three men were not off the hook yet and that they are still investigating the same suspects. As the judge said yesterday: "I will withdraw the case against you, but that does not mean you are not guilty."

We demand that the police and prosecutors keep pursuing the case with increased urgency and spare no effort to bring the murderers to justice and bring closure to the family.

For further information please phone the COSATU Gauteng provincial Secretary, Siphiwe Mcgina on 011 873 2610 or 082 465 8336.