MEC MORWENG PLEADS FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE IN THE TAUNG MANHUNT CASE

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Wessels Morweng has urged communities around the Greater Taung to assist the police in manhunt case.

MEC Morweng’s plea follows a case of murder that was opened in Podimoe police station on Friday, 10 January 2025, where a body of the 16-year-old girl was found in a shallow grave in Matlhako 2 village.

According to the information, the police were informed of possible murder on Friday, and this after a man reportedly heard a woman crying from a neighbour’s place on Thursday night, 09 January 2025. After that,the said neighbour and his friend were seen on Friday morning, pushing a wheelbarrow with something inside.

A search operation was conducted on the basis of the allegations, and this led the police and community members to what looked like a shallow grave where a wheelbarrow and a spade were also found next to a stream in the same village.

Following mobilisation of resources, the exhumation process started on Saturday morning, 11 January 2025. In the process, a body was discovered, wrapped with a blanket and positively identified by a family member (uncle) as that of Boingotlo Makaota, of Matlhako 2 village.

Preliminary investigation into the matter revealed that the body had visible wounds on the head and bruises on the thighs and legs. Further investigation was conducted at the suspect’s place where the victim’s clothes were found.

Investigation into the matter including the tracing of the suspect is underway.

However, the man who was seen in the company of the suspect and pushing the wheelbarrow on Friday morning, 10 January 2025, has been taken in for questioning.

“It is important for the community to work hand in glove with the police to trace the perpetrator. I believe he is within the community, unless if we are dealing with an animal that is hiding somewhere in the bushes,” said Morweng in his plead.

MEC said police on their investigation will leave no stone unturned, however, they cannot succeed without communuty assistance. “Whoever has a little information, must alert the police so that this monster must be arrested as soon as possible,” he said.

MEC Morweng has further sent a message of condolences to the deceased family.

—ENDS—