A community is in mourning and a nation stunned after the mutilated body of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, reported missing just a day earlier, was discovered in an open veld in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, on June 1.
The teenager had disappeared on May 31, prompting an urgent search. That search ended in heartbreak when her body was found under harrowing circumstances in a grassy field west of Johannesburg.
Police have confirmed the body was severely mutilated, a detail that has sent shockwaves through the already grief-stricken community.
Murder Investigation Launched
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened a murder case. While the motive and timeline remain unclear, investigators are following multiple leads. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the community is being urged to come forward with any information that could help crack the case.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost urgency and sensitivity,” said a SAPS spokesperson. “We appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Durban Deep area to come forward.”
A Community in Shock
News of the teenager’s violent death has devastated the local community, prompting vigils and public outrage. Messages of condolences have flooded social media, with many demanding swift justice and increased safety measures for children in the area.
How You Can Help
Police urge anyone with information—no matter how small—to contact their nearest police station or call Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111.
