The body of a woman aged between 60 and 65 was found hidden under a mattress that was covered with blankets in Elukwatini, Mpumalanga, on Monday.

According to an article published by Lowvelder, Elukwatini police received a call about a woman who was found dead in her house.

“On arrival, the police found an elderly woman naked, with bruises and strangle marks on the neck, and she was bleeding from the nose and private parts. She was hidden under her mattress and blankets,” says Elukwatini police spokesperson, Sergeant Wiseman Nkosi.

He says all relevant stakeholders were called to the scene and Embhuleni emergency services personnel certified the woman dead.

Nkosi says police discovered that some items were missing from the woman’s house, including a new set of pots, cellphones, a TV and her smart ID.

“It is also suspected that the senior citizen might have been raped, looking at the circumstances in which her body was found, the bleeding from her private parts and the injuries she sustained,” says Nkosi.

He adds that a preliminary investigation led to a 35-year-old African male being taken in for questioning.

“Investigations are continuing to shed light on what might have happened and lead to the perpetrator/s being brought to book,” explains Nkosi.

Anyone with information that can assist the police can contact Elukwatini Detective Services at 082 798 0396 or branch commander Lieutenant Colonel Rinckie Sithole on 082 822 8357.