Free State Toddler (4) Tragically Found Dead in Suspected Murder

A heartbreaking turn of events unfolded as the lifeless body of Reitumetse Madibeng, a four-year-old toddler missing since January 6, was discovered on Thursday in the Dewetsdorp area of the Free State.

The child was last seen in the company of her cousins, aged 19 and 20, who are now in police custody as the investigation takes a turn toward murder.

Circumstances Surrounding the Toddler’s Disappearance

Reitumetse Madibeng went missing after her cousins reportedly left her under a tree along the R702 Road area.

The cousins, aged 19 and 20, had left their home in Kanana and were on their way to farms in the region.

The toddler allegedly grew tired from walking, which resulted in the cousins to leaving her lying under a tree by the roadside towards Daspoort.

Masentle Madibeng is the mother of the toddler who was found

A team consisting of policing units and media houses continued the search for the missing child in the Dewetsdorp area.

At approximately 1:25 pm, the search team discovered the lifeless body of Reitumetse Madibeng in the veld near the farm road between Kareelaagte and Deelpan.

The devastating find has now led to a murder investigation.

Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that the cousins are in police custody and are expected to apply for bail in the Dewetsdorp Magistrate’s Court on January 17.

Authorities are urging members of the public with any information that may assist in solving the murder case to contact the nearest police station

Use the MySAPS App, or call the SAPS Crime Stop number at 086-001-0111.

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