The body was found dumped in the bushes by a passer-by who alerted the cops.
The police in Siyabuswa have arrested two men for the murder of a 11-year-old girl.
The girl had been reported missing since 9 December 2017.
Police spokesman Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said the two men, one aged 45 and the other 54, are behind bars awaiting a formal bail hearing on 23 January 2018.
The girl is from Mmamethlake, near Siyabuswa and the men have been identified as Job Ratsela (45) and Calvin Maluleka (54).
Hlathi said the incident was “senseless and barbaric”.
“She was reportedly last seen by her family on the Saturday night of 9 December 2017, only for her body to be discovered by the passer-by who was searching for his livestock in the bushes.
“The police were informed and all role players summoned to the scene and declared her dead.
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“Her naked body with serious scars was found balanced on a tree,” Hlathi said.
“Upon scrutiny, it appears as if a small part of the tongue was missing. Police investigations led to the duo, hence the arrest and subsequent appearance in court,” he said.
Hlathi said in the past people needed to wait 24 hours before they could report a missing person but now this has been found to be affecting the chances of cops finding the person.
“The police in Mpumalanga therefore remind community members that a person may be reported as a missing person as soon as there is reason to believe that they may be missing. There is no more a need for people to wait 24 hours whatsoever before reporting, as that practice jeopardises chances of finding or rescuing the victim from whatever danger they may be facing,” he said.
(edited by ZK)
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