A couple has been arrested for the murder of the woman's 4-year-old son. It's alleged that the couple, a 31-year-old mother and her 26-year-old boyfriend, killed the boy last year and buried him in a shallow grave in the bushes on the outskirts of Boitekong outside Rustenburg in North West. 

THE MOTHER CONFESSED 

North West Police spokesperson Lieutenant Amanda Funani said residents of Extension 4, where the couple lives, became suspicious when they did not see the child anymore. "According to information, the child was last seen by neighbours in July 2023. They started asking questions, but the mother would make up stories. This week, members of the community decided to involve their councillor, and they approached the mother, who allegedly confessed," Funani said. Funani said the mother allegedly confessed to the murder. Funani said that the councillor and members of the community handed over the mother and her boyfriend to the police, and they were charged with murder.

THE FATHER WAS DECEIVED 

A relative of the boy's father, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the father had not seen his child since last year. "The mother told the father that their child was staying with her aunt in the Free State. Despite sending money for the boy monthly, the mother always made excuses when he wanted to visit the child," the relative said. The father grew suspicious when he visited the aunt in the Free State and discovered that the boy was never there. "He sought help from the community where the woman stays, and the matter was reported to the councillor as the community had not seen the boy for a year ither. The father is devastated; one can only imagine the pain he has endured over the past year, not knowing his son was deceased all this time. It is truly heartbreaking," the relative added. The couple is set to appear in court on Monday.