Johannesburg – The dismembered body of 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo, who went missing last week has been positively identified by her parents.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo narrated events leading to the heartbreaking tragedy, which began on Monday when the little girl from Wattville was reported missing.
Some locals said the child was seen with a grown-up man before she disappeared.
“Police were joined by the community in the search for the man who was last seen with Bokgabo,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
A day after the little girl went missing, (Tuesday 11 October 2022), a severed leg of a child was discovered in a shallow grave inside a yard of a house in Tamboville.
“Later in the afternoon, a mutilated body was discovered a few metres away from the house, where the leg was found,” lamented lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“At that time, the parents of Bokgabo could not identify the body as that of the missing girl.”
However, on Saturday, the family of Bokgabo positively identified the dismembered body as that of their missing daughter.
Meanwhile, a day earlier (Friday 15 October 2022), police caught up with the suspect – a 30-year-old man whom they promptly arrested.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday to face charges of kidnapping and murder.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has commended the police team and the community members for working together around the clock to search for the missing child and for the collection of evidence that led to the arrest of the suspect.
“The provincial commissioner conveys condolences to the parents and the family of Bokgabo Poo,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
