The family of Tebogo Rampya (20), who went missing on July 10, confirmed that his body was found at the Hillbrow Mortuary on September 15.

Rampya was reported missing by his mother, Mmathapelo, who opened a missing person case at the Diepkloof Police Station on July 14 under case number 368/08/2026.

According to Mmathapelo, her son was returning home to South Hills after visiting his grandmother in Diepkloof when he disappeared.

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She added that since his disappearance, she received various phone calls from individuals claiming her son had assaulted a woman and stolen cellphones.

“The caller said they never found the cellphones in his possession, but they want to punish him for the assault,” Mmathapelo said.

“They also demanded R5 000 for his release, which I could not give them. The last call we received was on September 7, when the caller gave us a vehicle registration number and urged us to trace it.”

Mmathapelo alleged that the search led to two of her son’s acquaintances in Hillbrow and Hillcrest, where an investigating officer examined a mobile phone.

She claimed the investigating officer found messages on the phone suggesting a woman known to her son may have had information regarding his disappearance.

ALSO READ: Diepkloof family searches for missing Tebogo Ramapya

At the time of his disappearance, Rampya was last seen wearing a black jacket and black track pants.

Soweto Urban reached out to Diepkloof police on September 10 to confirm the claims regarding extortion calls. No response had been received at the time of publication.

A distraught Mmathapelo said the family was relieved to have found Rampya, although the outcome was not what they had hoped for.

“We were hoping that he would have been found alive, but unfortunately he is deceased,” she said.

“Words cannot describe how broken our hearts are because we were still looking forward to seeing so many achievements from him, watching him grow and reach his dreams. But finding him brings some closure because we will be able to bury him with dignity.”

She added that the family has not yet received confirmation regarding the cause of death, noting that SAPS has opened an inquest at the Johannesburg Central Police Station under case number 633/07/2026.

The publication sent enquiries to SAPS provincial spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili on September 19 to confirm whether foul play is being investigated.

No response was received by the time of publication.
Rampya is expected to be laid to rest on September 22 in Diepkloof Zone 2.