Police commissioner orders investigation into circumstances surrounding missing children’s deaths
The bodies of Nonjabulo Ngomane (9), her younger brother Themba Ngomane (8) and their neighbour Katlego Sibande (15) were found almost a week after they were reported missing.
LIMPOPO – The provincial police commissioner, Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths of three children from the Dennilton policing area.
The bodies of Nonjabulo Ngomane (9), her younger brother Themba Ngomane (8) and their neighbour Katlego Sibande (15) were found in the Mohlabetse river, almost a week after they were reported missing.
The three children from Phooko village reportedly left their home on Monday (August 30) to go to school. They never returned and a missing persons file was opened at Dennilton police station on Tuesday (August 31) and a search operation was launched.
Mojapleo said that preliminary police investigations revealed that the three children may have been kidnapped as they were last seen boarding a white Toyota Avanza. “A case of kidnapping was opened.”
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo in a statement said that their bodies were discovered on Tuesday (September 7) by herdsman who was walking along the river.
“The police were alerted and members of the police Search and Rescue unit retrieved the bodies from the river.”
He added that all three children were still dressed in their school uniforms and their bodies were identified by their families.
“A post mortem will be conducted to determine how they died.”
The police called on the public to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest of the person(s) responsible. “Anyone with information can contact Capt Elias Mashegoane on 073 391 1978, the 24-hour Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111 or via the MySAPSApp. Callers may opt to remain anonymous and any information received will be treated with strictest confidentiality,” he added.
The police have opened an inquest and investigation still continue.
Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Social Development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale has expressed her concern over the ever-increasing number of missing person cases in the province.
“We are now starting to see cases of missing persons raring its ugly head in the province, a trend which we must all guard against and not allow to happen.”
She urged parents and care-givers to ensure their children are safe and protected at all times.
