Case of found body parts to go on trial

POLOKWANE – The two suspects arrested last year, in Market Street, Polokwane, after they were found with the head of a woman wrapped in newspapers, are still behind bars as they await the start of their trial on 29 May at the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court. Edward Mapayi (50) was denied bail by the magistrate while Stanley Mohlake (33) was granted bail but refused the freedom.

The duo had appeared in the Mokerong Magistrates’ Court in Mokopane on charges of murder and possession of human body parts, but the case was later moved to Polokwane.

The police received a tip-off regarding people who sell human body parts, and this led to the arrest of the two suspects after they were found with the head of a woman in the car in which they were traveling. The body, belonging to the head found by the police, was discovered under a bridge in Mapila. Mahwelereng Police Station spokesperson, Const Sello Leso, confirmed that the body that was found was headless, and that the post-mortem report linked the body with the head found in Polokwane.

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According to Leso, the suspects are the ones who directed the police to the body that was hidden under the bridge. The houses belonging to the parents of the two suspects, were vandalised and burned by the community of Mapila, Mahwelereng, and a case of arson was filed.

Leso explained that the sister and uncle of the deceased, were arrested after investigations revealed that the two are the ones who set the houses on fire.

He said the case was referred to Polokwane. According to Provincial Police Spokesperson, Capt Mamphaswa Saebi, the two suspects who are charged with arson, received free bail. He could not confirm the next court appearance date at the time of going to print.

Mohlake was acquitted of a rape charge in Mokerong Magistrates Court on 8 July, 2016 after a woman claimed that he had raped her.

endy@nmgroup.co.za