The police spokesperson, Colonel N.P Mbambo, confirmed that the body of a 17-year-old girl was found in a shallow grave in the Mandela section in Tumahole, Parys. Neighbours saw a 27-year-old male digging a trench at the back of an RDP house on Sunday, 17 January. At first, they thought he was going to dispose of garbage.

On Friday, 22 January, the neighbours discovered that the hole was filled up – but not with the rubbish seen next to it. They then informed the Tumahole SAPS. With the help of community members, they started digging and made the gruesome discovery. The SAPS’s forensic team from Pretoria exhumed the body of the girl from the shallow grave. It was later discovered that the neighbour who informed police of the activities happening next door was family of the victim. The suspect was still at large at the time of print.

A case of murder has been registered for further investigation.