The charred human remains retrieved from underground at an abandoned mine shaft in Welkom have been sent for forensic analysis to determine if they are those of the missing Thato Tumahole (19).
On Wednesday the Welkom K9 Unit and Mine rescue Services worked relentlessley to bring the remains up from underground.
Thato was a learner at Welkom High School.
She was last seen on Friday, 10 May, when she left her home in Welkom and, allegedly, went to visit two of her friends. Efforts to locate her at the friends’ residences were unsuccessful.
After a thorough investigation, Thato’s boyfriend was arrested under suspicion for her possible kidnapping on Thursday, 16 May, and appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of kidnapping.
During interrogation, he identified the place where he claimed Thato’s body had been disposed of.
During an interrogation of the 22-year-old boyfriend he told police that he had dumped Thato’s body in the mine shaft.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson for the Lejweleputswa police, confirmed during an interview that when they have positively identify the body, a charge of murder will be added to that of kidnapping.
The case against the 22-year-old boyfriend has been postponed until 27 May for a bail application.
