Police in eMalahleni’s search for five-year-old Shaydino Padda ended in tragedy yesterday.

Shaydino, affectionately known as ‘Bokkie’, went missing on Monday after he was last seen at a tuckshop in Plumer Street.

The child’s mother became worried when his father did not return Bokkie to her after a visit. A missing person’s case was opened and yesterday, provincial police called on residents to assist in locating the boy.

A few hours after police released the statement about Bokkie’s disappearance, his body was found in an open field near Van Deventer Street in the eMalahleni CBD.

“A pathological post-mortem will be conducted to confirm the cause of death,” said police spokesperson Captain Eddie Hall. He said family of the deceased identified him on the scene.

The recovery of Bokkie’s body follows the discovery of his father’s body earlier this week. It was found a few blocks away, at the hockey field of a local high school.

Hall confirmed that no foul play is suspected in the death of the father.