Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, confirms that the body of Bokamoso Shabe – a learner at Mmantshebo Primary School in Thabong – was found in the suburb of Riebeeckstad on Thursday afternoon. 

Shabe was kidnapped from her school in Thabong on Monday at 13:30 by an unknown woman. Her abductors made calls to her grandmother, demanding a R50 000 ransom in exchange for the little girl’s safe return. Makhele says police investigations into the incident led them to the home of a 46-year-old man in the area.

After being questioned, the middle-aged man “led the team to the scene in Riebeeckstad, Welkom, where the body was found wrapped in a duvet cover in an open field. She was still wearing her school uniform. A case of murder was opened for further investigation”. 

The man has since been arrested for Bokamoso’s murder and is expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon.
 
More arrests in connection with the kidnapping and murder are imminent.
 
Free State Provincial Police Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, expressed her condolences to the family of the 8-year-old. Additional details around the incident are yet to be unveiled. Meanwhile, another Thabong girl, 13-year-old Nthabiseng Molete, is still missing. 

The teen was last seen by her mother, Pulane Molete, on 12 June at 18:00, leaving their home. It’s alleged the 13-year-old, who was dressed in a black pair of pants, yellow jacket, and black grasshopper shoes, was accustomed to sleeping over at one of her friends’ houses and it was assumed that she would return.

OFM News