THE search for five-year-old Onkarabetse Leeuw from Glen has ended in tragedy after police discovered his body on Wednesday afternoon in the suburb on the outskirts of Bloemfontein.
According to a statement issued by the South African Police Service, the child’s lifeless body was found at about 1617 hours, covered under a carton box and hidden in thick vegetation.
Onkarabetse had been reported missing by his mother on Saturday, 8 November, after he left home around 1600 hours to fetch his cap from a friend and never returned.
Police have since opened a case of kidnapping and murder at Glen Police Station and confirmed the arrest of the boy’s 29-year-old aunt, who is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court soon.
The grim discovery comes just weeks after the Leeuw family buried three-year-old Katleho Joy Leeuw, Onkarabetse’s cousin, who was found dead on 25 October after going missing for several days.
Katleho’s uncle was arrested and charged with her murder.
The shocking turn of events has left the Glen community reeling from yet another tragedy in the same family.
Earlier this week, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae had made a heartfelt plea for the public’s help in finding Onkarabetse, describing the family’s ordeal as “unimaginable grief and trauma”.
Police investigations into both murders are ongoing.