Tshepo Masha (32) and his mother Lina Masha were arrested earlier this week in connection with the killing of a male nurse, whose body was discovered buried in a yard in Mhluzi.

The duo had their first court appearance in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Masha is facing charges of murder while his mother has been charged with defeating the ends of justice and perjury.

Both Nkabinde (56) and Masha were reported missing in February. It was later discovered that Masha’s mother allegedly lied about her son being missing to mislead the police.

The police managed to track Nkabinde’s vehicle in Pretoria. This aided the police with vital information and lead to the arrest the mother and son.

It came to light that Nkabinde was killed and buried at his home in Vuka Section, Mhluzi. The motive of the murder is unknown. The police exhumed his body on Thursday.

Yesterday, the distressed family of Nkabinde gathered in the court gallery and cried emotionally during the court appearance. Lina Masha requested to be taken to the doctor after alleging that she was assaulted by the police.

The two are remanded in custody and their case was postponed until April 5 for a formal bail application.