Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the brutal murder of a 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a bush area in Pharare Village, Limpopo, South Africa.
The victim’s body was found on Friday, May 1, 2026, at about 6 p.m.
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said officers responded to a report of a female found dead in a bush and immediately proceeded to the scene.
He disclosed that upon arrival, police encountered the 17-year-old suspect, who led them to a nearby bush where the naked and headless body of the victim was discovered.
The suspect initially attempted to mislead investigators by claiming that unknown assailants carried out the attack.
Ledwaba said the suspect told police that he and the victim were accosted in Pharare Village by occupants of a blue Volkswagen Polo, allegedly comprising two males and two females armed with firearms and wearing masks.
He claimed they were forced into the vehicle at gunpoint and driven to a bushy area, where he alleged that he was attacked and sustained knife injuries before escaping.
Police investigations, however, contradicted the suspect’s account and linked him to the crime.
A search of the area led to the discovery of the victim’s severed head, which had been buried close to her body.
The suspect was initially receiving treatment at a hospital for injuries before he was arrested on Saturday, April 2, 2026, following intensified investigations by the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, Mopani Tracking Team, and Maake Detectives.
Ledwaba confirmed that the suspect has been positively linked to the murder, adding that a weapon believed to have been used in committing the crime was recovered.
He noted that investigations are ongoing, while a probation officer is expected to assess the suspect in line with the Child Protection Act to determine the next legal steps, including court appearance.