Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone says Martha Molefe was found dead in a water canal in Groot Marico, a town about 95km from Rustenburg, on Tuesday, 4 July. 

Martha Molefe. Photo supplied

Molefe, who lived in Lehurutshe, was last seen on Sunday 18 June 2023 when she and a friend attended a funeral in Groot Marico but she never returned home. “An inquest docket has been opened for investigation,” said Mokgwabone.

ALSO READ: North West Health to dig up 11 bodies for DNA testing

OFM News previously reported the Provincial Department of Health exhumed at least 11 unknown bodies in an effort to identify a missing person through DNA tests. The missing person is believed to be among the 11 bodies, which were buried years ago in unmarked graves in Boikhutso near Lichtenburg. 

Departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane told OFM News they have an indication that the missing person was buried with items that might help them identify him. The family of the missing person is seeking closure, thus the move to exhume the 11 bodies to try to identify them. 

Lekgethwane added that the department has obtained a court order from the Ditsobotla magistrates’ court to exhume the unidentified bodies. He said proper procedure dictates that they get a court order because one is not allowed to exhume bodies without proper channels being followed.

“DNA tests conducted on the remains of a body found at the hospital at the time proved inconclusive. However, following a lengthy investigation, it is now suspected that the remains of the missing patient could be in one of the 11 graves. The family and the department recently approached the court to grant an order for the remains of a body suspected to be that of the missing patient, to be exhumed” he concluded.

OFM News