Missing teen girl’s body found in locked shack, stepfather faces murder links

crime

Nelspruit — A 17-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead inside a locked shack in Kinross on Wednesday, raising concerns over gender-based violence in the region.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that the girl, who had been missing since May 23, 2025, was discovered following a search at a residence believed to be linked to her stepfather.

The police responded to a request to investigate a property in Extension 33, Marikana, Kinross, where they encountered the shack with secured doors and burglar gates. After forced entry, officers made a grisly discovery in one of the bedrooms.

“Inside the bedroom, the naked body of a young female believed to be the missing teenager was found in a semi-decomposed state. She was lying on a bed covered with blankets, her legs open. The victim had visible head injuries, including a deep wound and a crushed forehead.

“It is suspected that she was raped before being killed. A bloodstained pipe wrench (bobbejaan spanner) was found next to the bed and is believed to have been used in the murder,” Ndubane said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the victim had recently argued with her stepfather over his plans to sell the shack, which once belonged to her late mother. The teenager was reportedly opposed to the sale, voicing concerns about her younger siblings who would be displaced if their home was sold.

Adding a tragic dimension to the case, the stepfather is already in custody for a separate incident involving the brutal murder of his 34-year-old girlfriend, which occurred in Kinross on May 23, the same day the girl was reported missing. Authorities have linked him to both murders, and he is now a suspect in the teenage girl’s death as well.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed deep concern over the rising tide of gender-based violence (GBV) in the area.

“The brutal killing of women and children is unacceptable. These acts will not be tolerated. We are committed to ensuring that those responsible face the full might of the law,” said Mkhwanazi.

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