By Augustine Ehikioya
To unravel the circumstances that led to the death of three missing children in Phooko village and identify those behind the crime, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo has ordered investigations into their deaths.
The lifeless bodies of the children, who got missing on Monday 30th of August 2021, were found floating in Mohlabetse River outside Groblersdal.
This was contained in a statement obtained on Wednesday by Security Watch Africa (SWA) from the Office of The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo.
The statement said a case of kidnapping was earlier registered for them at the Police station when it was gathered that they all boarded a white Toyota Avanza on their way to school.
It reads “The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered prompt investigations into the circumstances that led to the deaths of three school children whose lifeless bodies were found floating in Mohlabetse River outside Groblersdal.
“The three children, siblings Nonjabulo Ngomane (9) and her younger brother, Themba Ngomane (8) as well as their neighbour Katlego Sibande (15), left home at Phooko village on Monday morning, 30 August 2021, going to school and never returned home.
“Missing persons file was initially opened at Dennilton Police station and the Police immediately commenced with search operation, assisted by community members.
“Preliminary Police investigations indicated that the three might have been kidnapped as they were allegedly seen boarding a white Toyota Avanza. A case of kidnapping was then registered,” it added.
On Tuesday, 07 September 2021, the statement said, a herdsman walking along the Mohlabetse River allegedly found the three bodies floating in the stagnant water of the said river and the Police was invited to the scene.
“On arrival at the scene, the three children, still clad in school uniforms, were found floating in the water and were retrieved by members of the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit. The deceased were identified by the two families.
“The post mortem will be conducted to determine how they died,” it stated.