Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa

28 June 2025

The body of a missing child, identified by her family as Yolanda Mujovo (06), was found last night, Friday, 27 June 2025, in the bushes next to the graveyard at Mathafeni outside Nelspruit.

According to a report, the young girl went missing on Monday evening, 23 June 2025. It is said that her father left the girl, together with her younger sister (04), at their residential place in Mathafeni around 20h40 to purchase some items at the nearby tuck shop. The father is said to have instructed his children to lock the shack for safety purposes.

Upon his return, it is reported that he found that the shack was not locked and the chain was loosened whilst the girl was nowhere to be found. Only the younger child was alone in the shack. The father indicated that he asked the younger girl about the whereabouts of her elder sister, of which she had no knowledge.

A search was conducted with the help of the neighbours but without any success. The next day, the search continued without any positive results.

The matter was then reported to the police in Nelspruit, where a missing person’s file was opened. Police conducted a search whereby various units were called in to assist, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

On Friday evening police and the paramedics received information regarding a child that was found in the bushes. Unfortunately, the medical personnel reported that she has passed on. A case of murder has been opened, and a preliminary investigation suggests that the girl could have been raped as well.

No one has been arrested so far, and police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspect(s) to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous. 

Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has vowed that police will work around the clock and ensure that the perpetrator(s) of this heinous crime are swiftly brought to book.