Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

A R250000 reward is being offered by police for the arrest of a serial killer or killers on the prowl in Limpopo.

Eleven children in the Modimolle area have disappeared over the past three years.

Seven of them have been found dead while four are still missing. Their ages range from four to 14. The first two children went missing in September 2004.

Senior Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo said yesterday that a reward of R250000 was being offered for information that would lead to the arrest and subsequent conviction of those responsible.

"We have offered a reward regarding the spate of killings in the area with the hope of cracking the case," he said.

"We applied for a reward after intensive investigations did not yield positive results. It was approved on Friday and we hope people will come forward."

He promised members of the public that all information provided would be treated in confidence.

Last week, the body of Refilwe Rengani, 8, from Phahameng Location, who had been missing for almost a week, was found by women collecting fire wood .

Mojapelo said the little girl was raped before being strangled to death.

He said Refilwe's body was found last Sunday at the spot where the bodies of Rosina, 8, and her brother, Petrus Malete, 11, were discovered in April last year.

"The modus operandi in most cases was the same, hence we have reason to believe a serial killer might be on the loose."

Anyone with information can contact Senior Superintendent Mabotja on 082-451-7161, Captain Ndou on 079-524-1351, Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or their nearest police station.