Limpopo police open inquest after missing father and daughter found dead
Police investigate the deaths of 45-year-old Peter Baloyi and his 15-year-old daughter Xilaveko Suke. Both were reported missing earlier, with separate investigations now underway.
Image: FILE
Police in Hlanganani have opened an inquest following the discovery of the body of 45-year-old Peter Themba Baloyi at Rotterdam Village on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Baloyi is the father of 15-year-old Xilaveko Suke, whose body was discovered the previous day inside a one-room house at the same village.
Both had been reported missing earlier in the week.
The teenager was reported missing on Monday, December 22, after she allegedly left home with her father, who was purportedly travelling with her to Giyani.
A public appeal was issued to request assistance from the community in tracing their whereabouts.
''Police received a report on Thursday, December 25, at around 08:50 am regarding a body at Baloyi’s residence.
''Upon arrival, the victim’s paternal grandmother pointed out the body of the young girl inside the one-room house,'' said Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
Ledwaba said the body was in a partially decomposed state and had a visible stab wound.
“A murder case was opened for investigation,” he said.
Later that day, at around 6pm , police were alerted to a fire at Baloyi’s house.
Officers attended the scene and investigations into the arson incident are ongoing, Ledwaba said.
On Friday, at about 13:30 , Ledwaba said Baloyi’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in nearby bushes at Rotterdam Village.
An inquest docket has been opened to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Ledwaba said police investigations into both the murder of the teenager and the inquest into Baloyi’s death are ongoing.
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