Boy (6) found dead under bed, father arrested

The Fouriesburg police have arrested a 28-year-old father from Mashaeng near Fouriesburg in the Free State after the discovery of the body of his six-year-old biological son, hidden under a bed. According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, the child was last seen by his grandmother on Thursday. It is alleged that on that day, the father assaulted the child with a wooden stick in the presence of the grandmother.

“She reportedly questioned him about his actions, and he responded that he could do as he pleased with his child. This was the last time the grandmother saw the boy,” said Mophiring. He said that on Sunday, at about 10.40 am, a community member entered the suspect’s residence and noticed unusual darkness and disorder in one of the bedrooms.

“Clothes were scattered around the room, which raised suspicion. Upon shining a cellphone light under the bed, the community member made the shocking discovery of the child’s body.” Police and Emergency Medical Services were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the child was declared dead. A case of murder is being investigated, and the father was arrested and is expected to appear before the Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.