A 24-year-old Gauteng woman was found buried in a shallow grave 54m from her boyfiend’s KwaZulu-Natal home on Tuesday afternoon, police said on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Captain Jabulani Mdletshe the grave was found at the Qakwini Reserve in Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
It is alleged that on November 21, the deceased — Ntombifuthi Myeza of Gauteng — phoned her mother Bongekile Myeza and said she planned on travelling to Mtubatuba to vist her boyfriend.
She arrived in Mtubatuba the following day but her mother could not reach her by telephone.
Myeza’s sister also tried contacting her days later but was told by her boyfriend that she had returned to Johannesburg.
”The deceased’s family was suspicious and checked with the Long Taxi Association and was told she was not on the register and had not gone back to Gauteng.
”The family met with the boyfriend who confirmed that he accompanied the deceased and that she boarded a taxi,” said Mdletshe.
The family reported the matter to police and a missing persons report was filed.
”An investigation began … the boyfriend and his other girlfriend were arrested and detained,” Mdletshe said.
Police on Monday spoke to the boyfriend’s family but they denied knowing Myeza’s whereabouts.
”Police and family then began searching for the woman … About 54,3m away from the boyfriend’s home someone spotted something looking like a new grave,” he said.
”The family became suspicious and started digging and found the body of the deceased buried in a sitting position,” said Mdletshe.
The body was taken to Mtubatuba mortuary.
Police opened a case of murder and found some of the deceased’s belongings at the man’s home.
The man is expected to appear in the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court late on Wednesday. – Sapa