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. Police said she was found naked and had sustained serious head injuries.
Stones were reportedly found around her body, raising the possibility that she may have been stoned. Police said no visible stab wounds were observed at the scene.
Police commend investigators
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 the murder of a woman whose body was discovered at Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa on Saturday morning.
“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.
Woman allegedly left tavern with unidentified man
According to preliminary investigations, Nxumalo had been drinking 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 11.00pm.
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.
