Human remains found in family's backyard

By Mzolisi Witbooi

Bones believed to be the remains of a man who was reported missing in 2005 were unearthed in his backyard on Monday.

Siza Ntshinga of Gugulethu, who would have been 65 this year, was reported missing in December 2005.

A source close to the investigation said police received a tip-off from one of the family members on Monday that Ntshinga had been buried in his backyard in NY102.

On arrival on the scene at 12.30pm, police found bones resembling human leg bones.

"The police have yet to confirm if the bones found in the backyard of a house in Gugulethu are indeed those of the man reported missing in 2005," said police spokesperson Captain Randal Stoffels.

Ntshinga's son Mxolisi said he hoped that the shocking discovery would bring closure. "We would be happy if the bones are his as this would bring a finality on our quest for his whereabouts.

"There's been a void in our lives because we don't know what happened to him.

"As for now we're really confused and not sure how to receive the news," he said.

Mxolisi, who lives in Khayelitsha, is one of Ntshinga's three children. He was at work when he was called to the family home on Monday afternoon.

Neighbours said the home was notorious for its feuds over the ownership of the house before Ntshinga's disappearance.

When asked who the owner of the house was, Mxolisi said "it was a family house".

"When my father went missing he lived with his two nephews," said Mxolisi.

One of the nephews is serving a sentence in prison.

Outside the cordoned-off area in front of the house, groups of people mulled over the events of the day. Ntshinga's sister, Nomfundo, fixed her eyes on the television while the police worked outside.

She had given her statement to the police before the yard became crowded.

Onlookers started congregating after 2pm and were still outside the gates when forensic experts removed the remains at 8.30pm.

None saw the bones because the grave was behind the house and the police had guarded the entrance to the yard and barred all photographers.

A councillor who asked not be named said a community member had reported "that there was a big fight in that house before Siza went missing but there was no follow-up."

"Later Nomfundo complained that her brother (Siza) did not want her in the house."

But Mxolisi ruled out any fight saying "Nomfundo was not there when he (his father) lived in the house."