What was initially thought to be a drowning at a residential pool at a house in Umbilo, Durban, has now turned into a murder investigation after more details came to light.

Berea Mail yesterday reported that a woman died and a man was injured after an alleged drowning incident that had occurred. New information now suggests the woman was strangled and drowned by a man – reportedly her husband, who was also found injured on the scene – after an argument between the two.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala says Umbilo Police are investigating a murder case following the incident at the home on Jamieson Crescent in Umbilo.

“The woman was confirmed dead on the scene while the man was taken to hospital for medical attention and remains under police guard. He will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court soon,” Gwala adds.

Garrith Jamieson says ALS Paramedics Medical Services, along with Emer-G-Med, arrived on the scene to find a woman in her 50s in a state of cardiac arrest after being pulled from the swimming pool.

“Despite advanced life-support resuscitation efforts for over half an hour, the patient did not survive and was declared deceased on the scene.

“A male, believed to be in his 50s, had also sustained injuries and was stabilised on the scene before being transported to a nearby Durban hospital for the further treatment that he required,” he explains.