Gauteng police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a woman whose body was found at Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi Section of Tembisa on Saturday, September 26.
The deceased has been identified as Ntombifuthu Nxumalo.
The discovery brings the number of bodies found in the Ekurhuleni area since July to 10, while 11 bodies have been discovered across Gauteng in recent weeks.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said earlier he could not confirm whether the latest case was linked to the other victims.
Swift apprehension
The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has commended Gauteng police for the swift apprehension of a suspect linked to Nxumalo's murder.
“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 Lieutenant General Dimpane.
The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner commended the multidisciplinary team for its swift response and investigative work, which led to the arrest.
The suspect is expected to face charges relating to the murder. Further details surrounding the circumstances leading to Nxumalo’s death are expected to emerge as investigations continue.
Police urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Police trace suspect to Limpopo
According to preliminary investigations, Nxumalo had been at a local tavern with a female acquaintance before leaving the premises in the company of an unidentified man.
Residents living near the cemetery allegedly told investigators that they heard a woman screaming and pleading for her life at about 11pm.
Investigators subsequently traced a suspect to an address in Tembisa before establishing that he had travelled to Limpopo.
A multidisciplinary team comprising members of Crime Intelligence Ekurhuleni District, Tembisa South Detectives and the Head Office Investigations Psychology Services (IPS) travelled to Mohlabaneng Village in Limpopo.
The team requested assistance from SAPS Bolobedu and located the suspect asleep in his room, where he was arrested. - IOL