Two bodies within two days have been found in the rental room of a man in eMbalenhle, outside Secunda, who was arrested two days earlier for violating a restraining order filed by his mother.

The first body – that of a woman which was already in the early stage of decomposition – was found in the 45-year-old man’s room yesterday.

The man was not at home at the time as he was arrested two days earlier for domestic violence and violating a restraining order which was filed by his mother. He was thus in police custody at the time of the body’s discovery.

In regards to the discovery of the woman’s body, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says the suspect’s mother became worried about the flies and a foul odour coming from her son’s room after his arrest.

She could not access the room because the suspect had locked the door and taken the key with him when he was arrested. The mother reported this to the police.

The police officers who went to the house also noticed the smell and the flies and a family member helped to break down the door.

“That was when the shocking discovery of the [first] body was made. Her nearly decomposed body was found in bed and covered in blankets. The woman was only wearing a white T-shirt. The victim is light in complexion and her age is estimated to be between 25 and 30,” Mohlala explains in a media statement this morning.

According to Mohlala, the preliminary investigation revealed that this woman could have been strangled as a shoelace was found around her neck. Her body also had some signs of bleeding.

“We suspect the murder could have been committed by the suspect prior to his arrest on the charge of contravention of the protection order. An additional charge of murder was then laid against him.”

The police are looking for the woman’s family and urge anyone who might be looking for a loved-one matching the description to visit the eMbalenhle Police Station.

Alternatively, the Crime Stop number can be contacted on 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Second body discovered

The investigating officer of the woman’s murder this morning went back to the crime scene with the hope to find anything that could help identify her.

What the officer discovered was, however, far worse as another body – this time of a man – was found under the bed. The body was found wrapped in plastic and reportedly in a severe state of decomposition.

The police’s forensic team was on the scene at the time of publishing.

Court appearances

The suspect first appeared in court on Thursday for the contravention of the protection order and the case was postponed to February 23. He was remanded in custody.

He will return to court on Monday to face the charge of murder of the woman. It is at this stage unclear if the second murder will be added to this charge sheet.