After more than two years, justice has finally been served after the Potchefstroom Magistrates Court sentenced Nelson Matusse (37) to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, 10 years’ imprisonment for violation of a corpse, and 11 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.

This after dedicated investigative work of Ikageng Detectives, lead by investigating officer Detective Constable Lipuo Ngesman and a Tactical Response Team. The successful resolution of a kidnapping and murder case, resulted in the arrest of two suspects connected to the kidnapping, murder and concealment of the body of a 31-year-old woman from Greenfields, Ikageng, who was originally reported missing on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

According to NW police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, it was alleged that her former boyfriend, Nelson Matusse, had taken her from her home. An inquiry was subsequently registered. During the investigation, the victim’s sister received text messages and voice notes from the suspect demanding a ransom.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Lipuo Ngesman, with intensive investigation, linked the suspect to the crime and crime scene in Lenasia.

On Saturday, 16 March 2024, under the authority of former Major General Molefe, who was the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Crime Detection, a multidisciplinary team comprising Ikageng detectives and TRT members travelled to Lenasia to trace the suspect. The team successfully traced and arrested the suspect at another location.

During questioning, the suspect confessed to murdering the victim on the same day he abducted her. He further pointed out the location in Ikageng where he had disposed of her body. While returning to Ikageng, he admitted that he had paid a second suspect to burn the victim’s body approximately one week after the murder in an attempt to conceal the crime.

The suspect subsequently led police to an open field between Extension 7 and Promosa, where the burnt remains of the deceased were recovered.

The first accused, Nelson Matusse (37), was charged with murder, kidnapping, and violation of a corpse. The second accused, George Matusse (35), was charged with defeating the ends of justice and violation of a corpse. During the investigation, both accused were also linked to and charged in separate cases of housebreaking and theft.

During the sentencing that took place on Wednesday, July 29, the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently with the life sentence.

George Matusse remains in custody and is expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 September 2026, on charges of defeating the ends of justice, violation of a corpse, and four counts of housebreaking and theft.