A 32-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Johannesburg student Leigh Matthews. The man was a former student in Matthews’ class at the Bond University and had apparently fallen in love wih her.
Acting National Police Commissioner Hamilton Hlela said the man was cooperating with detectives and was expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
Matthews’ body was found on July 21 in the veld in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg, after she was abducted in Sandton on July 9.
Quoting sources close to the investigation, ThisDay newspaper reported on Tuesday that the man ”loved her so much, but she did not want him. So he killed her”.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula told South African Broadcasting Corporation television news that the suspect, a man in his 30s, had taken investigators to several places relating to the crime.
A municipal worker reportedly discovered her naked body while cutting grass in the vicinity of the Grasmere Toll Plaza — a spot notorious for criminal attacks. She had been shot three times. An autopsy report revealed that she died as a result of gunshot wounds to her body.
Matthews was held for ransom after she disappeared from outside Bond University in Sandton on the morning of July 9. The last time her family heard from her was when her captors allowed her to speak to them from her cellphone that afternoon.
”She told me to follow the instructions not to involve the police and that she was not hurt,” her father, Rob Matthews, told journalists the next day. He dropped off money as requested by her captors, but his daughter was not returned.
A massive hunt for Leigh was then conducted throughout the country. Early in August concerned community activists, groups of individuals and captains of industry offered a R250 000 reward to anyone with information on her killers.
Leigh Matthews’ father is an IT executive. He and his family live in Fourways. Leigh’s 21st birthday party was planned for the day after she was kidnapped.
Family spokesperson Colin Flatau told journalists outside the Matthews’s home in Fourways the family would release a statement once they had more information on the arrest.
”Mr Matthews and his family are not available at this time and would not like to comment until they have further facts.”
Flatau said the family heard about the arrest early on Monday evening.
”The family is relieved that someone has been apprehended,” he said.
Hlela said while nothing could bring Matthews back he hoped the arrest would bring some solace to the family. Top police investigator Piet Byleveld was among the detectives probing Matthews’ killing.
On Monday, Hlela thanked all police who contributed to the investigation and arrest, ”especially the detectives from the serious and violent crimes unit who have worked tirelessly for almost three months to ensure that justice is served in this instance”.
Provincial commissioner Perumal Naidoo personally supervised the investigation and kept the Matthews family updated on developments.
Hlela said: ”I know that nothing will bring her (Leigh) back, but we hope that this arrest will bring some solace to the family”. – Sapa