Johannesburg – The body of a police officer was found in an open veld in Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, Gauteng police said.

Warrant Officer Thabo Abednigo Mahlaba’s body was found in a decomposed state by mineworkers, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said.

The 50-year-old, who was allegedly kidnapped, was reported missing by his wife on 6 June.

The officer, who was last seen alive on 5 June at the Kagiso Police Station, allegedly went to withdraw money from an ATM in Krugersdorp on the day and had not returned home.

He was last seen wearing a black cap, blue denim jeans, a denim jacket, and a formal pair of shoes, said Dlamini.

The cause of his death was unknown and no arrests had yet been made.

SAPA