Tensions remained high in Mganduzweni and nearby communities in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, on Tuesday after two more suspects in the murder of Bontle Mashiyane, including a sangoma, appeared in the KaBokweni magistrate's court.

A large group of community members where bussed to the court where they staged a protest. When the Sowetan team arrived in the area, there was no sign of life in any of the three houses torched on Monday night by residents.

Parents in the area have also become extra protective of their children and told Sowetan that they did not trust anyone after the brutal killing of six-year-old Bontle Zethu Ditebogo Mashiyane, who went missing on April 30.

Her mutilated body was found near her home on Saturday.

Sangoma Samuel Tsela and his son Philasande Tsela made a brief appearance in court.

They are facing similar charges of rape, kidnapping and murder as serial offender Collen Hlongwane, 36, his girlfriend Ntombikayise Ngwenya, 40, and neighbour Thapelo Surprise Ngomane, 25.

Samuel told the court that he was going to represent  himself while his son said he had a lawyer. 

“Since I don't know anything about this case, I'm going to speak for myself,” said Samuel.

Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Hlongwane, Ngwenya, Ngomane and the Tselas face an additional charge of dealing in human tissue.

She said they would face uniform charges for now and only once individual indictments are compiled will the charges be separated according to the roles each of them played in the case.

Outside court, the community called for justice for Bontle.

Ngwenya lived next door to Bontle’s home. Ngomane lives on the same street as well as the Sifunda sisters.

Ngwenya allegedly revealed to police during her arrest that she had killed four other children, including her two nieces – Silindile, 7, and Ntokozo Sifunda, 6.

In June 2019, Sowetan reported how the tragic death of the Sifunda siblings led to the killing of a local pastor and his nephew.

Pastor Bheki Malomane, 36, and his nephew Wonder Mbuyane, 24, were beaten and set alight by the community.

Their houses were also torched after a local traditional healer, who was consulted by the community, ruled that Malomane and Mbuyane were involved in the murders of the two little sisters.

The Tselas' neighbours said Philasande lived in the house and described him as a cool guy who they never suspected of being a dodgy character.

There was a burnt Nissan Sentra in the yard.

“We drink with Philasande once in a while when he's happy and calls us but we know little about him,” said a neighbour who didn't want to be named. 

Another neighbour said they found the Tsela family in Mganduzweni when they arrived in 2014. 

“I think as a their neighbour I made a right call to have my wife stop working to look after our children at home. I can't believe that my very neighbour is someone associated with killing children. I'm scared,” he said. 

When Sowetan approached Eulenda Milazi's house she quickly called her children who were playing outside and told them to get in the house.

“I'm very scared living in this place. I wish I can carry my house and leave this place,” she said, adding that she was hairdresser.

“What is very scary to me is that the lady [Ngwenya], before the child [Bontle] went missing, came to me to do her hair. Now I'm not even sure if she came to do hair or to look at my children.

“What I can tell you is that every five minutes, I check my children. Even when I go to the bathroom, I want them close to me,” Milazi said. 

Bontle's father Itumeleng Mashiyane said he was thankful for the police, working with the community.

“Though we can't bring back my daughter but her spirit uncovered the truth to the community and those who prey on our children. But more work needs to be done. We actually want to find out the market where these people are selling the body parts of our children,” said Mashiyane.