Police in Free State has commenced murder investigations after the body of an eight-year-old girl was found, wrapped in a duvet cover, just days after her kidnapper demanded a R50 000 ransom for her return.
Bokamoso Shabe was still wearing a school uniform when her body was found in an open field in Riebeeckstad, Welkom on Thursday.
According to police reports, a 46-year-old man who led them to the scene has been arrested.
Police said additional arrests are expected to be made.
Shabe was reported to have been taken by an unknown woman while standing outside her primary school in Jerusalem Park on Monday afternoon.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said:
On Tuesday morning, the family received another call from a woman named Nthabeleng, who also demanded R50 000 for the child’s safe return.
“Since she was reported missing, the Lejweleputswa district team, consisting of various units, worked tirelessly [to search] for her. On Thursday, at about 14:30, the team came across a gruesome scene where her body was found,” Makhele said.
“Our condolences go to the family of Bokamoso during these tiring times,’’ said provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane.
“It’s heartbreaking for any parent to lose a child, but it becomes more devastating to lose a child in this manner,” he said.
Police discovered the body after they went to the man’s home, and he led the team to the scene.
He is expected to be charged with murder and will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon
