‘This country is sick!’ – Body of missing four-year-old found in Paarl

The community of Paarl in the Western Cape has been rocked by the alleged murder of a four-year-old girl, who went missing yesterday.

Sep 26, 2022 - 19:12
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‘This country is sick!’ – Body of missing four-year-old found in Paarl

It’s the news many in the local community have been dreading. Just 24 hours after she went missing in Paarl, the body of Tamia Botha was found near a school. The police are conducting a murder investigation, with the community demanding justice for the slain four-year-old.

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Paarl news: Body of missing Tamia Botha discovered on Monday

On Sunday, Tamia Botha was reported missing by her parents. Police immediately sprang into action, and the community was also mobilised. It’s understood the large search party deployed on Monday played a role in the eventual discovery of her body.

Several police vehicles attended the scene this afternoon, with more deployed to the neighbourhood nearby. The mood is now glum in this part of Paarl, and with the suspect still at large, tensions will remain high for a little while longer.

Paarl four-year-old Tamia Botha
Members of the community in Paarl East gather near the site where young Tamia Botha was found on Monday – Photo: Henri Ross / Twitter

‘Nauseating’: Local activist sickened by alleged murder of four-year-old

Ian Cameron is the Director of Community Safety at Action Society. The renowned activist, who recently confronted Bheki Cele about a poor standard of policing in South Africa, stated that the four-year-old was allegedly murdered.

  • Understandably, he has branded this a ‘very dark day’ for the region – and indeed, the rest of South Africa

“This country is sick. Today, a four-year-old girl’s body was found in Paarl, after it was reported missing yesterday. She was found dead near Nederburg Laerskool, and it is alleged that she was murdered. We’re awaiting more updates, but today is a very dark day.” | Ian Cameron

WATCH: Four-year-old Tamia Botha discovered in Paarl on Monday

Locals arrived at the scene where Tamia Botha was found on Monday. Video footage reveals the wave of concern that gripped those in attendance, when it dawned on the crowd that the worst possible outcome was now a reality. Finding her killer is now non-negotiable for local law enforcement.