A Bloemfontein teenager, who was reported missing two days ago, was found murdered. Machaka Radebe (16) went missing last week Thursday and her body was discovered in an open field near Phase 9 Rocklands, in Bloemfontein, Free State, this morning. Machaka's body was found with stab wounds on her back by a passerby.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motansi Makhele said Machaka was last seen by her brother around 12 noon in her room but 45 minutes later, she was no longer in her room. The brother told the police that when he called his sister's phone, it was answered by an unknown man who demanded a ransom in exchange for her life. "The brother came with his mother to the police station to open a case of kidnapping. Inevitably, Machaka met her untimely fate. Her body was found in the morning hours of Monday 4 December. The police received information at around 2 am about a female body found in the field near phase 9. On arrival, the police confirmed that it was indeed Machaka who was stabbed on the back," said Makhele.

Makhele said the suspect or suspects are still unknown thus far and the police are appealing to anyone who might have information on the incident, to them. The provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane has instructed the investigating team to work very hard to bring the suspects to book. "We still have two more missing persons cases and we need help in bringing back Lesego Mamello Motaung and Lerato Masiu, who are still nowhere to be found," said Motswenyane.