FREE State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has made an impassioned plea to members of the public to assist police in finding five-year-old Onkarabetse Leeuw from Glen, who went missing on Saturday, 8 November 2025.
According to the police, Onkarabetse was last seen leaving his home at around 16:00 to fetch his cap from a friend.
He was wearing a grey and black long-sleeved T-shirt, yellow short pants and white sneakers.
The little boy is described as light in complexion.
Police have launched an intensive search, but as of Wednesday, there has been no breakthrough.
The disappearance comes barely two weeks after the family buried three-year-old Katleho Joy Leeuw, Onkarabetse’s cousin, whose body was found by a passer-by on 25 October after she, too, had gone missing for several days.
Katleho’s uncle has since been arrested and charged with murder.
In a statement issued by the Free State Provincial Government Communication Service, Premier Letsoha-Mathae expressed deep concern over the distressing turn of events and called for community cooperation in the search for the missing boy.
She said she could not “fathom the mental strain that the family must be going through”, only days after laying little Katleho to rest.
The Premier urged everyone who may have information, no matter how small it seems, to please come forward and assist the police.
She emphasised that justice must prevail for both children.
Police have urged anyone with information on Onkarabetse’s whereabouts to contact Captain Jeremiah Motaung on 071 682 5093, or use the MySAPS App or the Crime Stop hotline 08600 10111.
The Glen community remains on edge as the search for Onkarabetse continues, with family, neighbours and volunteers holding out hope for his safe return. – Staff Reporter