Community in shock after missing children’s bodies found

PHOOKO – Members of the community of Phooko Village in Dennilton outside Groblersdal within the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality remain shocked following Tuesday afternoon’s discovery of the bodies of the three children who were reported missing last week.

The three children from Phooko D3 were reported missing last week and it is reported their lifeless bodies were discovered by herdboys whose livestock was grazing around the riverbanks at Mohlabetse River.

Seun Mogotji, a community leader, said the discovery must be a very traumatizing experience for everyone in the community and hoped the provincial government would help arrange counseling for the affected.

Mogotji also urged the community to work together with the police and come forward with any information that can assist in finding the perpetrators.

“We would like to send condolences to the families, friends, relatives and their fellow learners,” said Mogotji.

Last week, it was reported that a case of missing persons was opened at the Dennilton South African Police Service (SAPS) and the residents have since then appealed to the Limpopo provincial police to help in the search for the children through availing all resources at disposal to intensify their search.

At the time, the residents further appealed to the police to launch a serious manhunt in the area and its surroundings until the three missing kids were found. According to information received the 15 year-old missing girl’s cellphone was left at home. The residents then believed the cellphone could give police clues on their whereabouts.

On 01 September 2021, the residents received information that a Malawian national staying in the area was the last person to be seen with the missing three children.

That evening, members of the community went to the Malawian’s rented room to confront him about the allegations that he was the last to be seen with the missing kids but he allegedly ran away. The members of the community have since called on police to search for the Malawian man as they believed he may be key in solving the case.

Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Mayor, Julia Mathebe, last week appealed to the members of the public to assist in the search for the missing Themba Ngomane (8), Nonjabulo Ngomane (9) and Katlego Perfect Sibanda (15) who were last seen on Monday, 30 August 2021.