Vryheid man accused of murdering girlfriend denied bail
Boyfriend accused of murdering Thandazile Thwala is expected in court for a formal bail hearing.
Last week, the Vryheid Herald reported on the murder of Thandazile Thwala and the arrest of her 38-year-old boyfriend in connection with the heinous crime. It appears that WhatsApp messages alluding to an affair with another man led to a vicious attack that claimed her life.
Boyfriend accused of murdering Thwala
Dumisani Khumalo (38) is accused of murdering his girlfriend (Thwala) on Women’s Day. Khumalo was arrested on August 9 following the discovery of Thwala’s body in the back of her white bakkie.
It is alleged that Khumalo assaulted her with a spanner and strangled her with a rope before putting her body in the back of the vehicle and covering it with tarpaulin.
WhatsApp messages allegedly sparked attack
According to the police report, Khumalo had allegedly planned to take Thwala on a date in Mondlo.
It is further alleged that he went through Thwala’s WhatsApp messages and became suspicious that she was cheating on him.
He drove with Thwala towards a horse-racing area near One Line Madressini, where he allegedly assaulted her.
Daughter discovers mother’s body
According to police, Khumalo later returned to Thwala’s home and picked up her 24-year-old daughter before driving towards Mabona Mountain.
The daughter was allegedly left at the mountain while Khumalo went to buy petrol. When he did not return, she checked the bakkie and discovered her mother’s body in the back.
Devastated and distraught, the daughter made her way to the main road, where she saw a police van and told the officers what had happened.
Khumalo was later arrested in connection with Thwala’s death.
Murder accused denied bail
He first appeared before the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on August 12. He was then denied bail in the same court on August 18.
Khumalo is expected to appear again on August 25 for a formal bail hearing.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Thwala’s death is continuing.
The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
