A 42-year-old man from Schoemansville in Hartbeespoort, North West, was arrested after he dropped off the body of his nine-year-old stepson at doctors’ rooms and left.

According to police spokesperson, Constable Ben Maobi, the stepfather, Fifeanyi Ogumere, took the deceased boy to the Hartbeespoort Medical Centre, left him there and took off.

After attending to the child and looking for the father, the doctor was told he had left.

“The Hartbeespoort police were contacted and found the naked body of the child in the doctor’s room. The father was traced to the Total fuel station opposite the medical centre and arrested,” Maobi said.

“Allegations are that the father assaulted the child the previous night for allegedly stealing. A murder case was opened at Hartbeespoort police.” The boy’s body was covered in severe bruises.

Ogumere appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on a murder charge on Tuesday. He was remanded in custody until his next appearance for a bail application on 27 July.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Donald Kgasi on 082 4162 715.