Seven-year-old Thandolwethu found murdered after ransom demand

Mapaballo Borotho

Tragedy as child dies in accidental shooting with father’s gun — Crime scene tape/ Pexels

Seven-year-old Thandolwethu Mahlangu was found murdered in Delmas after going missing a day earlier.
Her mother received a ransom message demanding R30,000 for the child’s safe return.
Police have launched a manhunt as the community reels from the tragic discovery.

Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt following the discovery of a seven-year-old girl who was found murdered in Delmas on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.

The mother of the deceased reported her daughter, Thandolwethu Mahlangu, missing the day before her lifeless body was found by police officials.

“It is alleged that the child went to her father’s house and did not return home. Members of the community joined in the search throughout the night but were unsuccessful in finding her,” says Mpumalanga Police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane.

“At around 07:00 the following morning, the deceased’s mother received a text message from an unknown number demanding R30 000, allegedly owed by the child’s father, in exchange for the child’s safety. A missing person inquiry was opened, and all relevant role players were informed.”

Preliminary investigations traced the cellphone number used by the kidnappers to the Botleng area. Police managed to bring in loan sharks in the vicinity for questioning, and several addresses linked to the investigation were visited, but yielded no results.

On Thursday morning, the child’s body was discovered by a neighbour who was cleaning his yard when he noticed small legs protruding from underneath rubble behind a shack.

All relevant authorities were immediately informed and attended the scene.

The suspects remain unknown at this stage, and a murder case has been opened.