Bereaved families of victims killed by suspected serial killer still await final DNA test results

Bereaved families of the victims, who were allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer in Polokwane, Limpopo, are still awaiting final DNA test results. They are living in pain as they don’t know when they will receive the bodies to give them dignified funerals.

Police say conclusive identification of the remains of the victims is procedural before releasing the bodies to the families for burial.

The bodies of women, aged between 25 and 48, were found dumped in the bushes. They were killed between August and October this year.

The accused serial killer, Themba Dube faces seven counts of murder and kidnapping.

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The family of one of the seven victims, Andrea Chulo, says DNA test results have confirmed the remains to be that of their loved one.

The 26-year-old Andrea Cholo’s body was discovered in a bush at Luthuli Park in Seshego.

A victim’s mother Hellen Chulo says, “The DNA tests were conducted, our samples were taken and they have confirmed that indeed the remains are of our daughter. We initially did not accept the outcome of the DNA results, we ask them to re-do the tests.”

The family wants to bury her this weekend. Cholo was last seen in August.  She says the family is still hurting and mourning the loss.

“I wish to bury my child this coming weekend on Saturday because we waited for a long time while she was missing. We just want closure. We just wish to bury our daughter so we can start healing.”

The victims of the suspected serial killer were found disposed of in areas located on the outskirts of Polokwane that are secluded and covered with thick bushes, pointing to what police believe to be a common modus operandi.

Families of women killed by suspected serial killer in Polokwane still grieving: 

-Additional reporting by Katlego Nyoni