The community of Mathafeni in Mpumalanga is in mourning following the devastating discovery of six-year-old Yolanda Mujovo’s lifeless body. Her remains were found in bushes near a local graveyard on the evening of Friday, 27 June 2025—four days after her disappearance sparked a widespread community search and growing public concern.
Yolanda went missing on the night of Monday, 23 June, after her father briefly left their shack to visit a nearby tuck shop at approximately 8:40 PM. The young girl was left in the care of her four-year-old sister, and their father instructed them to lock the door while he was out. Upon his return, he found the door unlocked. Yolanda was nowhere to be found, and her younger sibling had no idea where she had gone.
Alarmed, the father immediately alerted neighbours and authorities. What followed was a desperate and emotional four-day search involving residents, local volunteers, and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Flyers were posted around the settlement, and the community combed nearby fields, abandoned structures, and wooded areas in hopes of finding the missing girl alive.
Those hopes were shattered when a tip-off was received by authorities late on Friday afternoon, indicating that a child’s body had been spotted near the Mathafeni graveyard. SAPS and emergency services rushed to the location, where they made the grim discovery. Yolanda’s body was found partially hidden in a bushy area near the cemetery. Paramedics on the scene confirmed that she had died.
According to SAPS, preliminary findings suggest that Yolanda may have been sexually assaulted before her death. A murder case has been opened, and forensic examinations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death and whether sexual violence was involved. The news has left the community shaken and outraged, with many expressing fears about the safety of children, particularly in vulnerable informal settlements.
As of now, no suspects have been arrested. SAPS is calling on anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation. Community members are encouraged to contact the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 or use the MySAPSApp to submit anonymous tips. Authorities have assured that all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Community leaders have condemned the horrific crime and are calling for urgent action to improve child safety in the area. They are demanding stronger police visibility and resources to protect vulnerable children from predators. A candlelight vigil is being organized in Yolanda’s memory, and residents are coming together to grieve and support her grieving family.
This tragedy has once again highlighted the pressing issue of violence against children in South Africa. Yolanda Mujovo’s untimely death is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile safety can be for the most innocent among us. As Mathafeni mourns this terrible loss, the call for justice grows louder, echoing the pain of a community broken by an unthinkable crime.