GAUTENG – A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman whose body was discovered in a cemetery in Thembisa in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality on Saturday 26 September.

The deceased, identified as Ntombifuthu Nxumalo, was found naked with severe head injuries at the Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi Section, Thembisa. Stones were found around the body, raising the possibility that she may have been stoned to death. No visible stab wounds were observed at the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been drinking at a local tavern with a female acquaintance before she left the premises in the company of an unidentified man.

Information obtained from residents living near the cemetery indicated that they allegedly heard a woman screaming and pleading for her life at approximately 23:00 on the Friday evening.

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Suspect traced to Limpopo

Investigators traced the suspect to an address in Thembisa before establishing that he had travelled to Limpopo.

A joint team comprising members of Crime Intelligence Ekurhuleni District, Tembisa South Detectives and the Head Office Investigations Psychology Services proceeded to Mohlabaneng Village in Limpopo, where they requested assistance from the South African Police Service in Bolobedu.

The suspect was found asleep in his room and was arrested on Saturday evening.

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Swift police action commended

The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner commended the multidisciplinary team for the swift response and investigative work that led to the arrest. Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has commended police members in Gauteng for the swift apprehension of a suspect linked to this murder.

Dimpane has specifically commended members of Crime Intelligence in the Ekurhuleni District, Tembisa South detectives, the Investigative Psychology Unit, experts from the Gauteng Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and members of Bolobedu Police Station for their coordinated efforts in tracing and apprehending the suspect.

“I commend this multidisciplinary team for their swift response, coordination and determination, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect on the same day. This is the kind of policing we expect from our members. We will continue to pursue perpetrators of murder and gender-based violence and femicide and ensure that they face the full might of the law,” said Dimpane.

The investigation and tracing of perpetrators linked to other women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni is still underway, with police following all available leads.

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