Missing Raphasha siblings found dead, police launch investigation
The discovery brought a tragic end to a three-week search for the sisters who were reported missing last month.
LIMPOPO – The bodies of missing sisters, Kamogelo Raphasha (7) and Tshegofatso (6), have been found, says the police.
The discovery brought a tragic end to a three-week search for the sisters who were reported missing last month.
The siblings from Marobjane village were reported missing on August 23. According to police reports the siblings left their home in the company of a 26-year-old female relative who is said to be mentally challenged. The relative was located at a bus stop the following evening.
At the time the provincial police commissioner, Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe, ordered all relevant resources to intensify the search operations and police units from Makhado, Polokwane and Thohoyandou as well as members of the Emergency Medical Service were deployed.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says their bodies were found on Tuesday (September 14) at around 18:00 in the graze camp next to Ga-Mashalane village, almost 20km from where they went missing.
“A passerby found the girl’s bodies lying next to each other in the bushes. Both bodies were already in a state of decomposition,” he added.
Read more: Makhado, Polokwane and Thohoyandou police members search for missing siblings
Mojapelo said a post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Police investigations still continue.
Hadebe thanked all role players, the police and members of the community for the efforts displayed during the frantic search for the siblings.
“What remains now is to determine whether any individual could be held responsible for the deaths of these children. The police will open an inquest docket to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Hadebe said.
She further urged the community in the area to remain calm and give the police time and space to investigate this ‘sorrowful incident’.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Cpt Albert Manaka on 082 414 6634, Const Frans Seema on 079 8401 780 or the SAPS Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111.
