Childhood friends aged five and six found murdered with genitalia, nose and lips cut off after being abducted while playing in the street

The bodies of two murdered and mutilated children were found the morning after the young friends were reported missing by their families.

Nqobile Zulu (5) and his friend Tshiamo Ramanye (6) disappeared on Wednesday after being abandoned by Tshiamo’s grandmother while she was playing in the street in Soweto, South Africa.

Patrols frantically searched for the boys Wednesday night, but their bodies were found Thursday morning in various locations in White City and Rockville.

The bodies were mutilated in the horrific attack and the boys were found with their noses, lips and genitals cut off.

The murders have raised concerns about a serial killer in the area, and the Gauteng police commissioner said they would have to face “the full force of the law”.

Mourners gather in Rockville to express their grief and pay tribute to the slain children amid concerns about a possible serial killer

Some locals believe there may be a serial killer on the loose in the area, as it has become rarer to find missing children alive.

Crezane Bosch, DA member of the Guateng provincial legislature, said children are not safe in their communities and it is crucial that people pay attention to children.

“Far too often we hear of cases of young children going missing and more often than not they are found dead.

“This is a clear indication that our children’s lives are at risk and it is therefore – more than ever – of the utmost importance that our communities take care of our children.”

She urged anyone with information about the boys’ deaths to come forward.

“Violence against children is a scourge that cannot be tolerated in our communities. Let’s all work together and report any criminal activity in our communities.”

Bandile Masuku, chairman of the Legislature’s Municipal Security Portfolio Committee, said the committee is concerned that such crimes are being committed.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act must be taught the harshest lesson and send a signal that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated in this country.”

Elias Mawela, Gauteng police commissioner, said he was mobilizing resources to track down the perpetrators and anyone with information should contact the police.

Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng, visited the bereaved families on Thursday evening and called the murders “more than barbaric”.

“What happened is disgusting. This should not be tolerated. The perpetrators must be found,” he said.

Tshiamo’s grandmother, Nqobile Ndlovu, could not hold back tears when she spoke about the death of her grandson, who was in her care after the death of his father in 2020.

“What a tragic loss! I am angry; I lost my grandson. He is the son of my first born who died in 2020.

“I consoled myself with that. I recognized him by his clothes. I couldn’t look at him. My sister opened the case and told me his throat was cut and his penis was missing,” she told IOL News.

‘It’s difficult. we are in pain It hurt us,” said Mapiti Shabalala, Nqobile Zulu’s guardian.

“We don’t have money to bury our child. We are needy and need justice.”