Girl's decomposed body found in field

Johannesburg - The partially decomposed body of a 3-year-old girl was found in an open field in Khutsong on the West Rand on Saturday, Gauteng police said.

Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the girl was reported missing on 13 October by her parents after she disappeared.

On Saturday, members of the community who went out hunting, found a half-decomposed body of a girl and reported [it] to the police, upon investigation the body was confirmed that of a girl who was reported missing," Mofokeng said.

"The father identified the girl a Simphiwe Sithole aged three years. Police are investigating a case of murder. The motive behind this murder hasn't been fully established."

Mofokeng said investigations continue and the police were working with residents.