STELLALANDER-PUDIMOE: A manhunt was launched after the body of a 16-year-old girl, Boingotlo Makaota, was discovered in a shallow grave on Friday, 10 January 2025, in Matlhako 2 village.
According to initial reports, a neighbor alerted the police after hearing a woman crying from a nearby residence on Thursday night, 9 January 2025. The following morning, witnesses reported seeing the neighbor and an accomplice pushing a wheelbarrow with suspicious contents. Based on these allegations, police and community members conducted a search operation that led to the discovery of a shallow grave near a stream in the village. Next to the grave, a wheelbarrow and a spade were found. The exhumation process began the next morning, on Saturday, 11 January 2025, uncovering a body wrapped in a blanket. The victim was identified by her uncle as Boingotlo Makaota. A preliminary investigation revealed visible head wounds and bruises on her thighs and legs. Further searches at the suspect’s residence uncovered clothing belonging to the victim. Two suspects are currently in police custody. The primary suspect, a 40-year-old man, was arrested after being handed over to the police by his brother on Saturday evening, 11 January 2025. The second suspect, a 27-year-old man, was taken in for questioning after being seen pushing the wheelbarrow with the suspect. Both suspects were expected to appear in the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 12 January 2025. Phemelo Maine (40) and Onkemetse Phatlhanyane (27) appeared in court and they were remanded in custody until their next appearance on Thursday, 16 January. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a brutal act of gender-based violence. “This incident highlights the urgent need for community vigilance and active citizenry to prevent such crimes,” he said. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to uncover further details surrounding the murder.
