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The body of nine-year-old Boipelo Mesi, who was reported missing more than a week ago, was found inside a shack not far from his home in Kroonstad in the Free State on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Police spokesman Brig Motantsi Makhele said the Gelukwaarts girl was reported missing on September 1.
The mother said her daughter was playing with friends when she disappeared.
On Saturday, children playing in the street noticed a “bad smell” coming from a shack near Mesi’s house and alerted community members.
“They went to the hut and found it closed, forced entry and opened the closet where the smell came from and found Boipelo’s body and then alerted the police.
“While he was busy at the site, it is alleged that the owner of the hut appeared and was attacked by the community,” he said.
Makhele said the police who tried to intervene were also attacked.
The police managed to rescue the man from the “volatile situation”, but he was later pronounced dead.
“We call on the community to remain calm and give the family time to mourn the loss of their daughter,” said Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
TimesLIVE
