Hardwork by police pays off, a man arrested for alleged murder of his girlfriend in 2019

Hardwork by a team of Detectives from Mayflower SAPS paid off as a 43-year-old male suspect was arrested for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, aged 26 back in the year 2019. The man was arrested in the evening of Tuesday, 15 August 2023 at around 21:00.

According to information, members from the Detective Branch in Mayflower were busy with their investigation of sexual offences cases when they stumbled upon information regarding a certain person of interest.

Upon further probe, a certain house in Mayflower was visited by the astute members. Whilst busy with the investigation, more details emerged about a particular individual belonging to the family where they were conducting their probe. The man was sought and it was later discovered that the person was somewhere in Carolina at the time. Further than that, it was outlined that he was on the run from police, hitchhiking to Witbank. Members managed to get him before he got away. In fact, he was offered a lift by the members and along the way, he learnt that the people who gave him a lift were actually police officials. On further questioning as to why he was running away, it was then discovered that he was allegedly involved in the murder of his girlfriend back in June 2019.

Further investigation by the members revealed that the suspect as well as his girlfriend reportedly had an argument which led to a fight whereby the woman was allegedly killed by the suspect.

During the time of the incident, the 26-year-old woman was merely reported as missing by her family at Mayflower Police Station, unbeknown to them that the man who was behind her disappearance was a man closer to her.

The investigation by the Police back then was conducted where the man was approached by the men and women in Blue. He was questioned about her disappearance and whereabouts but he denied any knowledge of her.

In December 2020, a discovery of the remains of an unknown person was made in Mayflower however it was unknown at the time that the remains were for the woman in question, whose family has been looking for, for a while.

DNA samples from her family members will be collected and forensic tests will be conducted as part of the investigation with the hope to find out as to whether the discovered remains are those of the female victim.

Meanwhile the suspect is expected to appear at the Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court in Elukwatini today, Thursday 17 August 2023 facing a charge of murder. More charges in relation to this murder could be added against the suspect as the investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded members for the arrest of the male suspect. “The toiling and dedication by the Detectives has helped in bringing everything into perspective regarding the victim’s ordeal. Though her life will never be brought back but at least her family will finally find closure. We hope that justice will be served for theslain woman. Gender-Based-Violence remains a serious challenge in the society however there is hope especially with the dedicated members of the police that work hard to fight the scourge” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service