LIMPOPO – Police in Limpopo have arrested two suspects, aged 27 and 32, following the recovery of the body of a 42-year-old man who was reported missing at Jane Furse Police Station in the Sekhukhune District.

The victim’s body was discovered floating at Arabie Dam, within the Elandskraal policing area, on Saturday, August 22.

Victim reported missing after leaving home

The victim, Jesaya Masha, was reported missing after he allegedly left his home in Ga-Masha Village on Sunday, August 16, at approximately 5:39 PM, travelling in a blue Hyundai.

His family subsequently reported him missing, prompting police to circulate information regarding his disappearance and the vehicle.

Vehicle sold to member of public

The investigation took a significant turn when police received information that the missing man’s vehicle had allegedly been sold to a member of the public. The vehicle was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.

Follow-up investigations conducted by members of the Nebo Jane Furse Tracking Team, Nebo and Sekhukhune Detectives and the Sekhukhune Flying Squad led police to a 32-year-old suspect in Jane Furse, who was arrested on Friday, August 21.

Body recovered from dam

During the investigation, police obtained information indicating that the victim had allegedly been kidnapped and murdered, and that his body had been disposed of in the Arabie Dam. A multidisciplinary team was immediately mobilised to search the identified area.

On Saturday the operational team, joined by the SAPS Water Wing and Emergency Medical Services, conducted an extensive search operation in the vicinity of the bridge at Arabie Dam.

The search operation resulted in the discovery of the victim’s body in an advanced state of decomposition.

Second suspect arrested

The investigation continued, leading to the arrest of a second suspect, aged 27, in Jane Furse this morning.

Both suspects are expected to face charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. They are expected to appear before the Sekhukhune and Groblersdal Magistrate’s Courts soon.

Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests as the investigation continues.