Palesa Madiba’s family loses hope

The family of missing UJ student, Palesa Madiba, have lost hope as they await the forensic test results on human remains that could be hers.

Police promised to fast-track DNA tests when bones were found in Phiri, Soweto, on December 16. Getting DNA matches, which were requested, should not present the laboratory with a difficult task, but the Madiba family have so far waited 12 days for the results.

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A forensic expert said yesterday a backlog at the laboratory could be a stumbling block. The family of the UJ student said their hopes were fading as the state was taking a long time to reveal whether bones found buried at Madiba’s friend’s home were Palesa’s.

Madiba’s Cousin, Thabiso Tsoledi, said the wait was becoming too much for the family. “We had hopes that we would at least spend Christmas knowing where our sister was, but our Christmas was different and unpleasant,” he said.

“We always have our phones on hoping to hear from the police. But nothing yet” he said. Tsoledi said the family have never stopped looking for Palesa. “When we were informed that there were possibilities that the remains found in the backyard could be her’s, our hope was restored,” he added. ” But now the delays are killing our spirit.”

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On December 16, the Day of Reconciliation, police closed off a street in Phiri after a tip-off led them to the backyard of the home of Madiba’s friend, Tshidi Mkhwanazi. Human remains were excavated and police said at the time forensic tests would be top of their priority list.