Two suspects have been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of five-year-old Ofentse Poopedi.

The lifeless body of the Tembisa boy was found in a veld in Centurion on Sunday with some of his body parts missing.

On the day of his kidnapping, the two men were apprehended and handed over to the Ivory Park police station by members of the community.

One of the men was a neighbour of the Poopedi family.

“The suspects were arrested by residents and they brought them to the police station on the same day the boy went missing,” said police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.

According to Masondo, the men revealed the whereabouts of Poopedi’s body to officers from the family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit during an interrogation.

Masondo said the police found the boy’s body on Sunday.

The two suspects will face charges of murder and kidnapping.

Ofente’s uncle, Lehlohonolo Poopedi, said the murder has shattered the boy’s mother.

“It is also very difficult for us to explain it to younger members of the family who are still asking us if we have found him.”

Danie van Loggerenberg of Child Protection Hotline said, unfortunately, children are a target in South Africa.

Parents need to make sure their children are not spending time with strangers and people not known to the family.

“Children should also not be allowed to walk in the streets alone, especially after school. One way they can do that is to arrange with someone from the community to walk home with their children after school.”