Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
21 May 2025
A police-led de-bushing project, conducted in partnership with the Community Policing Forum (CPF), has led to the discovery of the corpse of a female near the Tonga Hospital sewerage area, on 21 May 2025 at approximately 12h00. Police officers and CPF members were clearing overgrown bushes near the Tonga hospital (sewerage area) when they discovered the body, which has since been identified by the deceased’s sister.
The deceased had previously been reported missing. It is alleged that she went missing around 10h00 on 13 May 2025 while she was a patient at Tonga Hospital, where she had been admitted since 02 May 2025. At the time of her disappearance, she was reportedly still dressed in her hospital gown.
Following her disappearance, the SAPS, CPF, hospital security personnel, and staff, as well as the victim’s family, conducted a thorough search of all hospital wards on 13 May 2025, but to no avail.
On 20 May 2025, police, together with the CPF, initiated a de-bushing project in the surrounding areas. The decomposed body was discovered on the second day of this operation, on 21 May 2025.
All relevant role players were summoned to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended the collaborative efforts of the police and the community for initiating the de-bushing project which led to the discovery of the deceased. He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
