Nqobile Mabaso (28) was found dead in an old, unused silo on a farm in the KwaHarry area, near Balgowan on Saturday, May 14.

Nqobile’s body was found by her father after he had heard about a blood trail not far from the house and decided to follow it. He was shocked by the gruesome discovery of a battered, bruised and bloodied naked body.

At first he thought it was a local, until he realised it is his daughter. He identified her by the socks she was wearing. Her head was covered with a piece of her dress and jersey.

Nqobile was last seen on the farm alive by the farm manager at about 9.30pm the previous evening, May 13. It is alleged that she wanted to show him evidence regarding theft, which took place on a neighbouring farm earlier that week.

He then allegedly asked her to come back the next morning but she never returned and a search for her ensued.  After the discovery of the body, a search and rescue team was on scene assisting to recover Nqobile’s remains.

“It is suspected that she was raped and then murdered and her body thrown into the silo or put next to the compound on the farm,” said police spokesperson Major Magudulela.

The deceased sustained an open wound on the back of her head and marks on her body. She also sustained visible injuries to her face and was bleeding from her nose.

It is further suspected that she was chopped with a bush knife. It was also discovered that she did not have any shoes on and her cell phone was also missing.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the murder after he was found in the possession of Nqobile’s cell phone. The man is expected to appear in court soon. A case of murder was filed with the police and is currently being investigated.