Johannesburg – The partly burnt body of an 8-year-old boy was found in a field in the Ramaphosa informal settlement on the East Rand, police said on Tuesday.

“The boy was found dead with socks stuffed in his mouth and a used condom was found next to his body,” said police spokesperson Tsekiso Mofokeng.

The 8-year-old was reported missing on Monday at the Reiger Park police station.

He was last seen on Sunday evening playing with friends in the area.

His body was found on Monday afternoon by a man walking past the field in Ramaphosa.

He alerted the police.

“The body matched the description of the boy who was reported missing earlier on Monday,” Mofokeng said.

A case of rape and murder had been opened.

No arrests had been made.

The police appealed for any information that could help them find the perpetrator.

– SAPA