The police in Maake under Mopani District, have launched a manhunt following the gruesome discovery of a man’s body buried in a shallow grave at Bordeaux Village near a graveyard on Sunday, 17 August 2025 at about 09:30.
Police were alerted by community members who reported a foul smell coming from the bushes behind an old house. Upon arrival, officers found residents gathered at the scene and immediately initiated an investigation. The body of a male victim, later identified as 38-year-old Mboi Lawrence Rakgoale from Madawa Village, was exhumed. He was found with open wounds on his stomach, lying face up, and already in a state of decomposition.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been reported missing on 09 August 2025 after mysteriously disappearing from his home.
A case of murder has since been opened, and the motive for the killing is not yet known. Police investigations are underway, and no arrests have been made at this stage.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has urged community members to work closely with the police in bringing the perpetrators to book.
“This brutal killing is deeply disturbing, and we call upon anyone with information to come forward. Working together with our communities is the only way we can ensure perpetrators of such heinous crimes are removed from society,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Members of the public with information that can assist in the investigation are urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Hudson Tshikavhi, on 082 319 9742, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, their nearest police station, or submit information via the MySAPS App.