The discovery of charred remains in an abandoned mine shaft has taken a grim turn in the case of missing 19-year-old Thato Tumahole.
Thato Tumahole case takes a turn with discovery of charred remains
On Wednesday, the Free State police confirmed the retrieval of charred human remains from an abandoned mine shaft in Welkom.
This discovery follows a confession by a 22-year-old male, who claimed to have dumped the body of missing teenager Thato Tumahole in the same shaft.
Speaking to the media at the site of the shaft, Free State police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng stated that while the remains have been identified as human, further investigation is required to confirm if they belong to Tumahole.
The alleged confession made by Tumahole’s boyfriend
Thato Tumahole was reported missing on Friday, 10 May 2024.
After an intensive search and investigation, her 22-year-old boyfriend was arrested a week later on charges of kidnapping.
During his interrogation, he confessed to disposing of her body in the abandoned mine shaft.
This confession led to the discovery of the remains by the police.
The suspect appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 May 2024, and his case has been postponed until Monday, 27 May 2024 for a bail application.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to verify the suspect’s confession and the identity of the remains.
When was Thato Tumahole last seen alive?
Thato Tumahole was last seen alive on Friday, 10 May 2024, around 13:30, according to her boyfriend.
She was reported missing by her mother later that evening after she failed to return home and could not be located by her friends.
Tumahole was last seen wearing a brownish crop top, blue jeans, black Crocs, and had relaxed long hair.
Her family received WhatsApp messages from her earlier in the day, but after she was reported missing, there were no further communications.