A 28-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Libode Magistrate’s Court on Monday following the brutal murder of his 29-year-old girlfriend.
The man, from Rainy Locality in Nyandeni, allegedly buried the victim in a shallow grave before exhuming her body and returning it to her family in a wheelbarrow after they demanded her whereabouts.
The provincial police spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, said the crimes are believed to have occurred between Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18.
“Police were informed of the murder on Saturday morning at approximately 1am. It is alleged that the suspect murdered his girlfriend at an unknown location and buried her in a shallow grave in a secluded area,” Matyolo said.
After the woman’s disappearance, the suspect, who was the last person seen with the victim, was contacted by concerned relatives who demanded he bring her back home.
“He reportedly exhumed the body and transported it back to them in a wheelbarrow before the police were informed,” Matyolo said.
Police have obtained a lawful confession from the suspect where he admits to the murder and subsequent burial of the victim.
A pointing-out has been scheduled to take place on Monday, April 20, before he appears in court on a charge of murder.
The OR Tambo District Police Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, urged communities to report missing persons to the police immediately if their whereabouts are unknown, so that a search can be conducted without delay.
“Immediate reporting of missing persons can save many innocent lives,” Major General Modishana said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL
