Bokamoso Shabe: Police arrest two more suspects linked to 8-year-old’s murder
Police apprehended two women for the murder of Bokamoso Shabe, 8, who was kidnapped from school on Monday and found dead on Thursday. Three suspects will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court next week.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State announced that two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of Bokamoso Shabe, 8, who was kidnapped from school on Monday, 21 June, and found dead on Thursday.
TWO MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR BOKAMOSO’S MURDER
A total of three suspects have now been arrested following the discovery of Bokamoso’s body, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
“A 34-year old female, who was brought in for questioning on Wednesday, 23 June 2021, has been added as the second suspect, while the third suspect, a 44-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday evening,” said Makhele.
The three suspects – one man and two women – are expected to make their first appearance at the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 June. The trio will be tried for murder.
BOKAMOSO KIDNAPPED
The police launched a manhunt after Bokamoso was snatched from Mantshebo Primary School in Jerusalem Park, Thabong, on Monday.
Her grandmother received two phone calls that demanded a ransom for the eight-year-old’s return. The first call was at 15:00 on Monday from a man who called himself “Aubrey” and asked for R50 000 in ransom. He threatened to kill the child if the money was not paid.
On Tuesday, the grandmother received another call, this time from a woman who called herself “Nthabeleng” – she repeated the ransom demands and promised to return Bokamoso, safely, if the cash was received.
FIRST ARREST MADE ON THURSDAY
On Thursday, 24 June, the police visited a male suspect’s house. After questioning, the man led detectives to a spot in Riebeeckstad, Welkom, where Bokamoso’s body was found wrapped in a duvet cover. She was still wearing her school uniform.
The 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder. He will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court alongside his fellow accused.
“Our condolences goes to the family of Bokamoso during these times. It’s heartbreaking for any parent to lose a child, but if it becomes more devastating to lose a child in this manner,” said Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane.