Case of body parts in suitcase is postponed

The Actonville woman (33) and a co-accused (53) found with a suitcase containing body parts in November will appear in court on March 15.

Tatenda Mhlanga and Johannes Lebese briefly appeared in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on March 1, where the magistrate postponed the matter because the docket was unavailable in court.

The pair face charges of murder and violating a corpse.

They were arrested on November 11 after crime prevention wardens on patrol noticed the pair pushing what seemed like a heavy suitcase near Roshini and Kohinor streets.

The wardens questioned them about the purple suitcase’s contents.

According to SAPS Ekurhuleni district communications officer Captain Neldah Sekgobela, the man said it contained a cow’s head.

“Wardens searched the suitcase and found the mutilated body of a man inside. Other body parts were discovered on the same day, about 30m from the scene.

“The woman fled the scene, but her sister handed her to the police the next day,” said Sekgobela.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was Mhlanga’s boyfriend, who had lived with her in Actonville.

The male suspect, who lives on the same street as Mhlanga, alleged that she asked him to help her carry the suitcase.

Lebese was released on bail, but Mhlanga was remanded in custody.

Also Read: Wattville body parts in suitcase: accused to spend Christmas behind bars

Also Read: Pair found with body parts in suitcase appear in court