Mpumalanga man arrested for murder of woman over goat sale
A 41-year-old Mpumalanga man has been arrested for allegedly murdering a 46-year-old woman and burying her body in a shallow grave in Dirkiesdorp near Piet Retief.
The man, who allegedly bought a goat belonging to the deceased from a herdsman, faces charges of murder, robbery and defeating the ends of justice.
Deceased never returned home
South African Police Service (Saps) regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the woman left her home at 6am on 3 May with the intention of confronting the suspect after she had questioned the herdsman about her missing goat the previous day.
The women never returned home.
Her family reported her missing on 4 May, and police investigations led them to the suspect's home.
'Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect encountered the victim before she reached his home. He allegedly murdered her and buried her in a shallow grave,' Ndubane said.
ALSO READ: Delays in AKA-Tibz murder case as extradition process unfolds in eSwatini
Suspect texts deceased's family
'The suspect then used the victim's cellphone to send misleading messages to her family, claiming she had received R2 000 and was going to Swaziland after discovering he had slaughtered the goat,' Ndubane added.
He later destroyed the victim's cellphone by burning it.
The suspect, who was arrested on Wednesday, pointed out the location of the shallow grave where the victim's body was recovered.
Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues, Ndubane said.
She said the herdsman, who sold him the goat, was also arrested but later released without charges.
'Shock and disappointment'
'The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his shock and disappointment over the suspect's actions, especially as the country continues to face a crisis of gender-based violence against women and children,' Ndubane said.
The suspect was due to appear in the Piet Retief Magistrate's Court today, but police have not yet given an update on the outcome of the sitting.
NOW READ: Vereeniging man appears in court for alleged murder of mother and brother
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Women in uniform sweep Bethal Correctional Centre clean
Female officials with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Bethal Management Area, partnered with the female SAPS's colleagues and the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) to build momentum for Women's Month. The multidisciplinary team of around 50 women gathered at the Bethal Police Station on August 8 for a briefing before starting the operation. They did a search and seizure at the Bethal Correctional Centre women's section and pounced on all four communal cells and 16 single cells in the section, searching more than 130 offenders sentenced and awaiting trial. The officials found three pairs of scissors, a cable charger, headsets, a syringe and a tin opener. Brigadier Winnie Mavuso, the district commissioner of the SAPS, addressed the officials at a parade after the operation and encouraged them to remain committed to their duties. 'We value the partnership with other law enforcers, and hope it will be useful to each of us because it is important to work together to ensure the safety and security of people in this country,' said Mavuso. After the parade, management had a debriefing to assess the day. The area commissioner of Bethal Management Area, Abel Mashaba, emphasised the necessity for enhancing interdependence amongst the stakeholders. He outlined the DCS' contributions to the community that might also benefit all the stakeholders. He made an example of the labour that the DCS could provide through parolees and probationers, and said the relationship could benefit the DCS through the services of other institutions. 'This is an interdependent relationship meant to benefit all of us. Let us all work together to ensure this partnership makes our work easy,' said Mashaba. Swanje Wright, DCSSL chief inspector, said she was content with the partnership, 'It is good to have insight into sister departments,' said Wright. ALSO CHECK: Secunda woman's fire safety skills kick in when her house catches fire ALSO CHECK: VIDEO: Motorists are warned to avoid N12 between Delmas and Red Star Raceway following fatal incident
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Witness Admits Contradictions in Rushil Singh Fraud Trial
During the ongoing fraud trial of Rushil Singh, a key Investec employee testifying for the State admitted under cross-examination that Singh was not directly involved in the alleged fraud. This acknowledgment challenges a central aspect of the prosecution's case, which is based on Singh's position as CEO of BIG and assumptions about his knowledge of the loan witness initially testified that the financial guarantee involved in the case was 'cash backed.' However, under questioning by the defense, he conceded that this was incorrect. 'The guarantee was not, in fact, cash backed,' the witness said. He further explained that no contractual agreement explicitly required the guarantee to be backed by cash. 'There was an assumption that the guarantee was cash backed, but there is no documentary proof to support this,' he added. This admission weakens the prosecution's argument that Singh knowingly engaged in fraudulent activity related to the guarantee. The witness also contradicted himself multiple times during cross-examination. When reminded that he was under oath, he responded, 'No man is infallible.' The defence highlighted these inconsistencies to question his credibility. Compounding these issues, the court heard that the original R20 million guarantee issued by Stanbic Bank was initially cash backed and included a conditional clause confirming this security. However, it was Investec that requested the removal of this clause, transforming the guarantee from a secured instrument to an unsecured one. 'The original Stanbic guarantee was secured, but Investec itself asked for the security to be removed,' the defence argued, raising concerns about Investec's internal oversight and defense further emphasized that Singh's involvement is based on presumption rather than evidence. 'The State's own witness conceded Rushil Singh was not directly involved,' the defence said. 'Singh's implication rests solely on the assumption that he must have known about a cash backing requirement, a notion without contractual or factual basis.'Adding to the scrutiny of Investec's role are allegations that several Investec employees received personal benefits from Nishani Singh, related to the loans. The Star has learnt of a new man on the story, referred to as Mr X reportedly received monthly payments of R19,000 through a shell company registered in his name from December 2020 to October 2021 — the period during which the loan agreements were being structured and finalized. Mr X. also received a lump sum payment of R70,000 in August 2020 and may have received a R2 million contribution towards his Pretoria home's construction. After resigning from Investec in June 2021, he joined BIG as a director with a reported monthly salary of R300, other bank employees were linked to questionable benefits. Mr X.2 received two Sandton City gift vouchers worth R10,000 each, given during active loan negotiations. Mr X.2 was given a fully paid Sun City trip in December 2016. The defence suggests these benefits breached banking ethics and could constitute inducements.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Police offer R50 000 reward to solve double murder in Bellville
According to police, the duo were shot in November last year. Western Cape police are offering a reward of up to R50 000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect involved in a double murder in Bellville, Cape Town. According to police, the duo were shot in November last year. Assistance Police spokesperson Captain Frederick C. van Wyk has urged anyone with information to come forward. 'The Western Cape Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes detectives are seeking the assistance of the public for information which will lead to the arrest and successful conviction of those responsible for the death of a 40 year old Chinese national, Muadi Huang and an 18 year old bystander who was shot and fatally wounded at a business premises situated in South Street, Bellville on 2024-11-08 at about 19:30.' Shooting Van Wyk said Bellville police responded to the complaint and made the grim discovery. 'Officers found the body of the victim, who succumbed to gunshot wounds to his body. The 18 year old bystander Enrico White who chased after the suspect was also shot and fatally wounded. 'Both were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The suspect was wearing a cap which covered his face. The motive for this attack is now the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service,' Van Wyk said. ALSO READ: Police arrest 16-year-old second suspect in attempted hijacking of Ian Cameron Mamelodi shootout Meanwhile, three suspects were killed in a shootout with police outside Pretoria, north of Johannesburg. The gun battle occurred in Stoffel Park, Mamelodi, on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said officers acted on intelligence information. Singo said members of the Hawks Tactical Operation Management Section (TOMS) received information about a group of suspects who were allegedly having illegal firearms in Mamelodi East, Stoffelpark extension 15. 'Upon arrival at the premises, a shootout ensued between the police and the suspects. Three suspects were fatally wounded by the police, and one suspect fled the scene,' Singo said. Singo added that officers recovered one AR rifle and two pistols. ALSO READ: Cop killers and armed robbers shot dead by police in KZN
