Police retrieved human remains from inside a mine shaft in the Free State yesterday. The body is rumoured to be that of a missing 19-year-old but police have told the community to wait for the forensic investigation report.
A mine rescue team, the Welkom K9 Unit and a police investigation team were on scene as the search for Thato Tumahole continued.
Tumahole’s 22-year-old boyfriend was arrested for kidnapping on 18 May and rumours were abound that the body in the mine shaft was that of the 19-year-old woman, last seen on 10 May.
The man appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday and had his bail application postponed until 27 May.
Police urged the public not to claim the remains were that of Tumahole, as the search had not reached a decisive conclusion.
“The discovered human remains will be sent for forensic investigation. We appeal to everyone to stop speculating about the discovered human remains and allow the forensic results to confirm if they can be connected to the disappearance of Thato or not,” stated Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
Tumahole was last seen at her home in Welkom and subsequent attempts by friends and family to locate her were unsuccessful.
The police dismissed information shared online, stating that they could not confirm or deny claims that the woman was deceased. Citizen.
