Three suspects appeared in the Maphumulo Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested in connection with the murder of Jabulani Gumede (67), who was reported missing last Monday.

Gumede’s body was on Friday found in thick bushes in Ocheni under the Maphumulo policing area in KZN.

iLembe Cluster police spokesperson Captain Alex Thomson says the family found a pool of blood and missing items at Gumede’s home.

“Although initial searches by the K9 Search and Rescue teams did not yield any results, a police tip-off led to the swift arrest of the first suspect,” adds Thomson.

“A 44-year-old man was arrested at Woza outside Maphumulo, and he allegedly assisted police with information about the murder and the location of the body.”

Thomson says a 43-year-old suspect, whose vehicle was reportedly used to transport the body, was arrested in the Mzinyathi area in Inanda. His vehicle was seized by the police.

Further police investigations led to the arrest of a third suspect – a 34-year-old woman.

All three suspects have been charged with murder, although the motive is still unknown.

They were remanded in police custody, and will appear in court on Monday for a formal bail application.