Update: Young girl raped, strangled
A young woman who was just passing through town was brutally raped multiple times and assaulted before being dumped under a bridge near Mhluzi.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/05/Womanunderbridge_115351.jpg)
She is believed to be in her twenties and was found a few days after the attack tied up, naked and dead.
Mhluzi SAPS urgently seek to notify her next of kin.”Her family still do not know that she has been murdered,” Sgt Nelisiwe Masemola of the Mhluzi SAPS said. “This would also allow for her family to be able to give her a proper burial”.
She was found by a passer-by under the bridge of the Klein Olifants river in Protea Street, close to Mhluzi, last Wednesday night. Police said in a statement that members of the community with any information that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators should please come forward.
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The woman is estimated to be in her early 20’s and wears size 30 clothes. She had a white leather bag with clothes inside believed to be hers and a toiletry bag with toiletries. The toiletry bag is black with pink flowers on it.
Police believe she was killed a day or two before being discovered as her body was at an advanced stage of decomposition. She was also covered in bruises, suggesting she was hit really badly all over her body and suffered before her death.
![The clothes in which the woman was found in under the bridge in Protea Street last week.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/05/2_51752-520x390.jpg)
“She was found with an extra bag of clothes, which leads us to believe she is either from out of town, or was passing by the area when she was attacked,” Sgt Masemola said.
Police also found two used condoms at the scene and obtained fingerprints from the woman’s neck where she was strangled. It is hoped that this will lead to the identity of the attackers.
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Wie is die vrou wat gegil het?
The body was discovered late last Wednesday night and Police were informed immediately. The area where she was found is frequented by Church-goers and other residents who make use of the water in the Klein Olifants River.
Mhluzi SAPS are investigating a murder case and have stated that DNA found on her and at the scene has been sent for forensic testing to help identity her and to identify the perpetrators.
![Sgt Nelisiwe Masemola of the SAPS stands at the bridge in Protea Street near Mhluzi where the body of the young woman was found.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/05/IMG_0372_59615-520x390.jpg)
At least three suspects are sought and an autopsy revealed that she was raped and that she died from strangulation. She was found with a scarf stuffed in her mouth to muffle her screams and her hands were tied behind her back using a skirt.
All attempts to identify her have so far been futile. Anyone who can assist please contact Mhluzi Police at 013 242 1021.