What began as a desperate search for a missing father and his teenage daughter has ended in devastating tragedy for the community of Rotterdam Village in Limpopo. The discovery of a decomposing body believed to be that of 15-year-old Xilaveko Suke has left residents shocked, grieving, and demanding answers, while her father remains unaccounted for.
Police in the Hlanganani area have confirmed that a murder investigation has been opened following the discovery of Xilaveko’s body at her father’s home. The teenager had been reported missing earlier this week after leaving home with her father, Peter Themba Baloyi, who has since vanished and is now the subject of an active police search.
According to police reports, Xilaveko was last seen on Monday, 22 December 2025, when she allegedly travelled with her father to Giyani. When the pair failed to return home, concern quickly escalated among family members and community residents. A public appeal was subsequently launched in an attempt to trace their whereabouts, with hopes that both would be found safe.
Those hopes were shattered on Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 2025. Just before 9am, police received a distressing report of a body discovered at the father’s residence in Rotterdam Village. Upon arrival at the scene, officers were directed by the girl’s paternal grandmother to a small one-room structure on the property. Inside, they made the grim discovery of the lifeless body of a teenage girl believed to be Xilaveko.
Police confirmed that the body was already in an advanced state of decomposition and bore visible signs of a stab wound. Due to the condition of the remains, forensic teams were called in to process the scene and collect evidence, while a post-mortem examination is expected to determine the exact cause of death.
As news of the discovery spread through the community, emotions ran high. Later that same day, at approximately 6pm, police were alerted to another incident at the same property. The father’s house had been set alight, allegedly by angry community members who were outraged by the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Officers returned to the scene to find the structure burned, adding another layer of complexity to an already disturbing case.
Authorities have condemned acts of vigilantism, urging community members to allow the law to take its course. Police spokespersons emphasized that while emotions are understandably intense, destruction of property could compromise investigations and lead to further criminal charges.
Meanwhile, the search for Peter Themba Baloyi continues. Police have confirmed that he has not yet been located and are appealing to anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. Investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events that unfolded after Xilaveko left home with her father, as many questions remain unanswered.
The tragic death of Xilaveko Suke has cast a dark shadow over the Limpopo community, highlighting the devastating consequences of violence and the urgent need for justice. As the investigation progresses, residents and family members alike are left mourning the loss of a young life and hoping that those responsible will soon be brought to account.
About the Author
