Police spokesperson, Amanda Funani, says the 22-year-old suspect - the uncle to Neo Refemetswe Tlhame, was taken into custody for the alleged murder on Wednesday.

#ChildTragedy: Body of toddler in shallow grave

The suspect was arrested a day after Tlhame’s body was found in a shallow grave at Extension 3 in Blydeville outside Lichtenburg. Funani says his arrest followed after being questioned and linked with the case. The police are yet to mention what charges he'll be facing and when he will make his first court appearance.

“According to the information received, police were called by Neo’s mother after they spotted a suspicious grave near the river - the grave was dug up and the decomposed body of young Neo was identified with the clothes he was wearing on the day of his disappearance. Neo went missing on Tuesday, 24 May 2022, while with his grandparents. However, Neo’s disappearance was established by his mother when she went to fetch him after work. Subsequent to a fruitless search by community members and Neo’s family, a missing person enquiry was opened for investigation. Meanwhile, the Provincial police Commissioner, Sello Kwena, has congratulated the Lichtenburg Detectives for the quick response that led to the arrest of the suspect. Kwena says the police take crimes against children and women very serious and that this arrest proves that those who commit such crimes will not be allowed to walk free in the province” Funani concluded.

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