The body of 11-year-old Letlogang Reitumetse Mokakuoa has been recovered from the Kgoptjane River in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, following a 10-day search after he was reported missing.
Letlogang was reported missing on 19 September 2026 after he was reportedly swept away in the river.
According to Free State police, Letlogang’s friends were present when the incident occurred and reportedly witnessed him being swept away in the river. Police and rescue personnel subsequently began efforts to locate him and recover his body.
The search continued for several days but was made more difficult by adverse weather conditions in the area.
Police were assisted by the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality Rescue and Divers Team during the operation. A number of resources were used as part of the search, including a police helicopter that was deployed to scan the surrounding area.
Despite the search efforts, the recovery operation did not immediately locate the missing child.
The breakthrough came on Tuesday, 29 September, when community members near the river noticed what appeared to be a human body trapped around a tree in the water.
The community members alerted police after making the discovery.
Police responded to the area and, together with members of the rescue and diving team, retrieved the body from the river.
The deceased was subsequently identified as Letlogang Reitumetse Mokakuoa by his uncle.
Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed that the identification had been made by the child’s uncle.
The recovery brought an end to the search that had continued since Letlogang was reported missing on 19 September.
Police said the search had involved several attempts to locate and recover the child, with weather conditions affecting the operation.
The use of a police helicopter formed part of the resources deployed during the search, while the municipal rescue and diving team assisted with efforts to locate and retrieve the body from the river.
The discovery by community members ultimately led rescuers to the location where the body was recovered.
Police have opened an inquest docket into the incident.
An inquest is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding a death, and the investigation will determine the relevant facts surrounding the child’s death.
The recovery of Letlogang’s body ends a 10-day period during which his whereabouts were unknown following the reported river incident.
The incident occurred in the Phuthaditjhaba area of the Free State, with police, municipal rescue personnel and community members involved in the search and recovery operation.
No further circumstances surrounding the incident have been released by police at this stage.
