Man arrested for murdering his wife and burying her body in their shack

South African Police Service

Man arrested for murdering his wife and burying her body in their shack
Man arrested for murdering his wife and burying her body in their shack. Photo: SAPS

A 32-year-old suspect will on Monday, 11 January 2021, appear in Giyani magistrate court after he was, on the afternoon of 8 January 2021, arrested for allegedly killing his 53 year old wife and then burying her body in a shallow grave that was dug inside their Shack at Nwadzekudzeku village under Giyani policing area.

The couple was reportedly staying together in the area. The local residents apparently became curious when they noticed that there were no movements in the yard for the entire day on Wednesday 6 January 2021. This after the couple was allegedly heard arguing the previous evening at around 21:30.

On Thursday morning, 7 January 2021, they then decided to check what was going on and on entering the premises, traces of bloodstains were allegedly seen through the window of the house. Some of community members were met by unpleasant smell coming from a shack that has been erected in front of the house. They then decided to forcefully open the door of the shack after their calls went unanswered and discovered the shallow grave.

The police were immediately called and the body of a 53 year-old woman was exhumed from the shallow grave that was dug inside the shack. A manhunt was launched and the suspect was arrested.

The deceased is reportedly from Kwamashu in KZN and her identity cannot be divulged at this stage as her family is still being traced.

The motive for the murder is unknown at this stage but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.

The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has strongly condemned this incident, labelling it one of the horrendous crimes perpetrated against women. “The arrest of this suspect and the actions that were taken by the local residents are commendable and should send a clear message that perpetrators of gender based violence and Femicide will not have any place to hide. We therefore urge our communities to continue working with the police by reporting crimes that take place in their localities,” concluded General Ledwaba.

The suspect, who was arrested after he handed himself over to the police in Malamulele, will face a charge of murder.

The police investigations are continuing.

SAPS Newsroom

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service