Two suspects have been arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder after the body of a 5-year-old Tembisa boy was found mutilated in an open veld in Centurion on Sunday afternoon.
Residents handed over 35-year-old Moses Bokaba and 52-year-old Joseph Puseletso to the Ivory Park police station on the Tuesday that Ofentse Poopedi was reported missing.
Bokaba is a neighbour of Ofentse’s parents.
Colonel Mavela Masondo, the Gauteng police spokesperson said: “The two suspects were apprehended by the community members and brought to the police on Tuesday, 9 August 2022, after the boy went missing on the same day in Tswelopele Section, Ivory Park.”
Masondo said the suspects were interrogated by the the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, which resulted in them pointing out where Ofentse’s body was dumped.
“Further questioning of the suspects and a thorough investigation by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit led to the suspects pointing out where the body of the child was dumped. Police discovered the body on Sunday, with some of the body parts missing,” Masondo said.
Ofentse’s uncle Lehlohonolo Poopedi said his sister was traumatised and struggled to come to terms with the passing of her son.
“She is very selective about who she speaks to as this is not sitting alright with her. It’s also challenging for us to explain to his younger cousins as they are still asking if we have found Ofentse,” he said.
Poopedi described Ofentse as a talkative smart child.
“He was a bubbly child and very talkative. The choice of his words shocked people for someone doing Grade R.
“South Africans need to be aware that trafficking is real; parents should be careful of their children when they go to the shops or play in the streets,” he said.
Masondo said Bokaba and Puseletso will be appearing in the Tembisa Magistrate’s court on Friday to face charges of kidnapping and murder. More suspects linked to the case may be arrested as the investigations continued.
Source: News24, Opera News, image from Opera News