On Friday, 2 April 2021 at about 14:20, the police received a report about a body of a child that was seen floating in Klein Modder River in W-section, Botshabelo. Further investigation revealed that the body is that of 9-year-old Tariro Jonas who was reportedly kidnapped by her mother’s boyfriend on 7 March 2021.
It is alleged that on the said day, the mother’s boyfriend Kgotso Masukela (26) assaulted the mother, and as she went to report the domestic violence related incident and assault to the police, the boyfriend walked away with her daughter. A case of kidnapping was registered and the police went on the lookout for the girl.
On the Thursday, 11 March 2021 at about 23:00, Masukela was caught by community members on the N8 road, dragged to a nearby field and allegedly assaulted. The police were called in the early hours of Friday the 12 March 2021 at about 04:00 and found him badly injured. He told the police that he dumped the body of the girl in the river, then later died in hospital.
A case of murder was registered.
Police divers searched the area for days with no luck until the body was seen floating on the river on Friday, 2 April 2021 by a passer-by. The deceased was identified by the mother.
A post-mortem will be conducted on Tuesday the 6 April 2021 to determine the cause of death and positively confirm the identity of the deceased. A case of inquest has been registered for further investigation.
The acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia called on the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands as it jeopardizes the investigation of cases.
