Cape Town – The search for two missing children ended today after police found bodies in Paarl and Siqalo.
Police are combing both crime scenes for clues.
The girl in Paarl has been identified as Tamia Botha, 4.
She was last seen at a local shop just before 8pm on Sunday in Klein Nederburg, Paarl.
Community members together with missing persons’ organisation, Track and Trace had mobilised and were searching for the child when her body was located just before 4pm.
It is understood that Tamia’s parents met with police today, and gave their statements surrounding her disappearance.
She was last seen dressed in a black T-shirt and blue boots. She has green eyes and light brown hair.
Ingrid Harding of Track and Trace missing persons said the child vanished just before load shedding.
“The child went missing a few minutes before 8pm, and at 8.10pm it was load shedding,” she said.
“We mobilised parents from the community to help search for the little girl.”
Harding said the child did not purchase anything at the shop and was last spotted in that vicinity.
The child’s mother, Udene Botha, became worried when she failed to return home and sent her brother to look for her.
Harding later confirmed that the body of a child had been discovered on the grounds of a local school.
Before Tamia’s body was found, Botha spoke briefly with Weekend Argus, confirming her child had been missing and asked that her daughter’s photograph be shared with the media.
Police spokesperson, Captain Frederick Van Wyk confirmed that a murder investigation was opened: “On Sunday, September 25 2022 at approximately 4pm a four-year-old girl was reported missing at the Paarl East Police station.
“The circumstances as to how the little girl went missing is being investigated.
“A search party was arranged and on Monday afternoon, September 26 2022.
“Scholars at a Primary school found her body in the bushes on the school's rugby field.
“The deceased was found with injuries to her body. A murder investigation has been opened.
“Anyone with information on this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
In Siqalo police discovered the body of an 8-year-old boy on Monday, who is yet to be identified.
Its understood the boy’s hands and feet were bound with tape. His mouth and chin were covered with tape and his eyelids had been taped closed, according to police sources.
Van Wyk said “the body of an unidentified boy was found today, September 26, 2022 at about 1.19pm in a bush on Weltevrede Road in Philippi”.
“Forensic tests are being conducted and a preliminary report said experts are still combing the crime scene for clues,” he said.
“A murder docket was opened for investigation and a post-mortem is to be conducted to determine the cause of death
“Police are busy following up on all leads and urge the public to come forward with any information that can assist them in their investigation,” Van Wyk said.
* Anyone with information is requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App.