By Palesa Matlala
- Mojalefa Savhuli went missing on Sunday and was last seen near a sports field in Tshepisong.
- His body was found by community members after a four-day search with little help from police.
The body of three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli has been found in a stream in Tshepisong, Roodepoort — bringing a tragic end to days of searching.
The boy was reported missing on Sunday. He had last been seen near a local sports field after following his cousins to a nearby spaza shop.
He was wearing green shorts, a yellow jersey, and black shoes at the time. His mother later identified his body after it was found floating in a stream.
Community members have criticised the police for not acting fast enough when Mojalefa was first reported missing.
The police only started searching on Tuesday — two days after the disappearance — but failed to make progress.
Frustrated resident Dineo Phatsoane, who helped lead the community search, said the police were unprepared.
“Although the police came, they did not come with sniffer dogs, and as residents, we were to continue the search alone,” she said.
For four days, family, neighbours and police searched for the missing child.
On Thursday, residents received a tip-off that there was a body floating in the stream nearby.
When they got to the scene, they discovered it was Mojalefa.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that an inquest docket has been opened and I am pleading with the family and community members to allow our police to investigate the matter,” said Masondo.
Pictured above: Three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli whose body was found floating in a stream of water.
Image source: X
