ORANJEVILLE – What began as a simple trip to charge a cellphone has turned into a Free State family’s nightmare.
This comes after the lifeless body of 20-year-old Thamsanqa Mpiga was discovered near the Oranjeville River nearly two weeks after his disappearance.
According to Fezile District Police, Mpiga was last seen on October 13, around 07:45, when he left for his parents’ home to charge his phone.
When he never returned to fetch it, this raised alarm to his family, a reason to report him missing to local law enforcement agencies.
Mpiga’s mysterious disappearance left the community reeling in shock, and the family traumatised as they failed to come to terms and desperately searched for answers.
Speaking to Ster South, police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed that Mpiga’s remains were found on October 25, near the riverbank.
She further confirmed that the deceased’s family later identified his lifeless body.
“The missing 20-year-old Oranjeville man was found next to a river. The cause of death will be determined through an inquest investigation. Our investigations are still ongoing,” said Rani.
Police had earlier issued a missing person’s report on October 21, appealing to the public for assistance. “Thamsanqa was last seen wearing grey Nike short pants and green sandals,” the report read.
