While searching for the missing 13-year-old child, police discovered human remains on his property and arrested a 56-year-old man from Klawer in the Western Cape for murder.
The bones were discovered in a drainage line on the site, according to Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut.
He added that the identity of the person whose remains were found has not yet been established and that the boy is still considered missing.
The murder charge relates to the discovery of the human remains.
“Our investigation into the disappearance of a 13-year-old boy led to the arrest of the 56-year-old man in Klawer on a charge of kidnapping on Thursday.
“According to reports, the missing boy was accused of stealing fruit at the man’s residence in Second Avenue on Wednesday and was pursued by him. The boy has not been seen since.
“Investigation led detectives to the man’s residence on Friday afternoon where the human remains were discovered.
“The body of the victim is yet to be found and it is too soon to speculate on the identity of the remains that were found.”
Traut said police investigations were ongoing and forensic experts were in the process of examining the crime scene in search of more leads.
THE FARMER IS EXPECTED IN COURT ON MONDAY
“The charge has since been changed to murder, and the suspect is expected to make his court appearance in Klawer on Monday,” Traut said.
According to reports, local ward councillor Jan Koopman said the community had been searching for the boy since Wednesday.
“The police told us that the man is refusing to speak to them without the presence of his lawyer,” Koopman said.
It is reportedly speculated that a 13-year-old boy was pursued and hit by his car, hacked to pieces, and hidden in a drain after stealing mangoes from him.
Meanwhile, the community is believed to be up in arms about how the case has been dealt with.
The boy’s mother reportedly went to the police station on two occasions and was sent home without any help.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie said during a visit with detectives and family members, it was confirmed that an ear, kidney, and intestines were found in the drain at his house.