Decomposed body of three-year-old girl found in the West Rand

The partially decomposed body of a three-year-old girl was found in an open field in Khutsong on the West Rand on Saturday, Gauteng police said.

Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the girl was reported missing on October 13, by her parents after she disappeared.

On Saturday, members of the community who went out hunting, found a half-decomposed body of a girl and reported [it] to the police, upon investigation the body was confirmed that of a girl who was reported missing," Mofokeng said.

"The father identified the girl a Simphiwe Sithole aged three years. Police are investigating a case of murder. The motive behind this murder hasn't been fully established."

Mofokeng said investigations continue and the police were working with residents.