South African police have launched an investigation and are looking for witnesses after a corpse was stolen from a grave in the northern province of Limpopo.
A relative discovered the tombstone on Sunday while cleaning the cemetery in preparation for the tombstone’s upcoming unveiling.
She was shocked to discover a gaping hole near the grave and the body of Modike Philemon Masedi missing.
According to police, the suspects gained access to the graveyard by cutting the fence, then dug a hole next to the grave to gain access to the coffin and steal the corpse.
#sapsLIM #SAPS Mokwakwaila in the Mopani District have launched an investigation of violation of grave and theft after a corpse was stolen by unknown suspect(s) at Senakwe Section in Mokwakwaila policing area. #CrimeStop #MySAPSApp MEhttps://t.co/RqaNm9Vqy7 pic.twitter.com/w91XFY1QmC
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 8, 2023
Mr. Masedi died on January 15 and was buried seven days later, according to reports.
“At this time, the motive for this incident is unknown,” said Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, a police spokesperson.
In South Africa, it is uncommon for a body to be stolen from a grave, but tombstones are more commonly stolen because the stone is expensive.
Provincial police chief Thembi Hadebe has urged residents to “stop pointing fingers” in order to avoid vigilantism.
