Duduza – Raped and killed, the bloodied body of missing Lerato Magoete was found with a large rock on top of her legs and another next to her head.
The 15-year-old was reported missing by her family on Thursday, and the community joined in the search for her for two days with no success.
On Saturday morning, her body was found by a group of worshippers in an open veld near the reservoir in Masechaba Section.
The teenager’s grieving mother, Sylvia Magoete, said she last saw her daughter on Wednesday.
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Lerato was sent to her grandmother’s home in Extension 16 and was supposed to return home the following day.
When she didn’t arrive home on Thursday evening, Sylvia became worried and called her family.
She was told Lerato was sent back home that afternoon.
Lerato’s mother said one of her neighbours told her she saw Lerato that afternoon around 4pm walking with a male family friend in the direction of the open veld.
“But when the family friend was asked about this he said he last saw her playing in the yard around that time,” she said.
A manhunt ensued for two days, but Lerato was not found.
On Saturday morning around 10am, her family was informed of the discovery of the body of a young girl and they rushed to the scene.
Lerato’s aunt, Bafedile Mofekeng, who was already on the scene, confirmed the body was that of her niece.
Sylvia, who could not contain herself, added that her daughter was killed like an animal.
“I am struggling to block the images of her lying dead in the bushes.
“She died a painful death. This will haunt me for the rest of my life,” she said.
Duduza police spokesperson Sgt Harry Manaka confirmed they are investigating a case of murder.
No arrests have been made and investigations are still underway.
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