Winterton police have arrested five suspects, aged between 13 and 25 years old, for the murder of a 54-year-old woman who went missing on the night of December 30. The deceased was last seen at her place of residence in Khethani Township at about 10pm that night.
The following day, she was reported missing at Winterton Police Station and a missing persons report was opened. It was found that her vehicle and several other items were also missing.
On Sunday, January 4, police received information that her vehicle had been seen in the Potsheni Emmaus area of Bergville. Police followed up on that information and it was established that the vehicle had left the area on January 1.
On Wednesday morning, following up on leads, officers went to Pinetown, Durban, where they arrested two suspects and recovered the vehicle. The suspects were detained at Winterton Police Station.
Upon questioning the suspects, it was established that the missing 54-year-old woman was strangled to death and buried in a shallow grave in the Potsheni Emmaus area. A ‘pointing-out’ was conducted and the body was exhumed.
Three more suspects were arrested and stolen items recovered. All five suspects will be charged for murder and theft, and are expected to appear in the Colenso Magistrate’s Court soon.
Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni (KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner) has commended Winterton’s police officers on working tirelessly in this case. “We strongly believe that our detectives will present a thoroughly investigated docket before the magistrate and that these perpetrators will be convicted,” she said.
