The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the swift arrest of three suspects aged between 23 and 33 allegedly responsible for the murder of Judith Baloyi (34), of Thapane Village in Bolobedu South in the Tzaneen policing area after he went missing on Saturday, 11 June 2022 at about 15:00
The arrest of the suspects stems from an incident in which the victim was reported missing by his family on Tuesday 14 June after he failed to return home. A missing person case was immediately opened with the Tzaneen Police and handed over to the Detective Unit who commenced with investigations and search operation, assisted by the community members.
Later on the same day, Police received information that the man was last seen walking with four men who are known to him. One of the suspects was traced and he revealed that the victim’s body was dumped in the Marama Dam near Deerpark. Police immediately went to the Dam and started the search jointly with the K9 search and rescue team. The body was seen floating and successfully retrieved at about 21:00.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the victim was assaulted and succumbed to the injuries before he was dumped in the dam.
“The excellent detective work and well-coordinated operation by these members is highly commendable. This is a clear indication that Police will stop at nothing to ensure that justice prevails,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The three suspects were charged with murder and will appear before the Kgapane Magistrate’s Court on Friday 17 June 2022.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect to contact the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Elvis Makhubele on 082 254 2544 or the Crime stop at 0860010111 or the nearest police station or MySAPSApp.
