A woman whose mutilated body was found in the bushes next to the Kamagugu road has been identified as Simphiwe Nyalunga (25).

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that she was identified by her next of kin.

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On June 30, a foreign national, who was hiding in the bushes amid anti-migrant protests, came across the body.

According to SAPS, the deceased was in an advanced state of decomposition. Police also found a used condom nearby.

“Police have opened a murder case and no arrests have been made yet,” Ndubane said.

She added that, due to the decomposition, pathologists were unable to determine the cause of death or whether Nyalunga had been sexually assaulted.

According to Ndubane, Nyalunga’s parents said she had left their home in Clau Clau before she went missing.

Police are unable to confirm how long she had been missing, as no missing person’s case had been opened. It is further alleged that she had been living on the streets before her death.

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Albert Greyvenstein of Bossies Community Justice and AG Solutions, who has assisted police and communities in numerous murder and missing persons investigations, said body parts are sometimes removed from victims for muti-related purposes.

Police investigations are ongoing.