Rage and heartbreak described a Betania, KZN, mother’s cries as her daughter’s body was placed in a mortuary van last Tuesday.

Thandeka Mchunu’s daughter Sindile Xoliswa Chiliza (20) was found dead in a half-built, abandoned house in the area.

Community members said they saw police at the house and went to investigate. They were shocked to see the dead woman.

One of Chiliza’s friends, who was at the scene, said she saw her last Saturday evening at a local tavern.

Her parents could not hold back their tears and her mother sat on the ground in silence.

Mchunu last saw her daughter on Saturday morning. “She usually goes out with her friends, when she didn’t return home in the evening, I wasn’t concerned because she comes home the next day.”

She said she received a call last Tuesday morning while she was at work, asking her to come to the half-built house.

“It was a shock to find my daughter in that condition.”

People have expressed their anger on social media in Betania and surrounding areas.

According to a source, someone phoned the police, tipping them off about a dead body and where they could find it.

Police spokesperson Captain Adam Francis said the cause of death will be determined via a post-mortem.

On Tuesday afternoon a local forum followed a lead and apprehended an alleged perpetrator who was handed to police.

Police have not yet confirmed the arrest.