A 30-year-old suspect appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on July 31 facing a murder charge of his then-girlfriend and mother of his child.
The suspect, who was a lawyer by profession, was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to August 7.
This comes after four months of intense investigation into the gruesome killing of Mahlako Malebo Rabalao.
Rabalao, 27, at the time, worked as an IT specialist in Centurion. She was reported missing on March 7 and later found dead inside her Mercedes-Benz that was engulfed in flames around 21:00 that evening.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant General Mavela Masondo, said investigations showed that Rabalao was killed after which her body was put in the car and set alight.
Masondo said the suspect was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal on July 28 after a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
“On March 7 at about 21:00, police received a call about a burning vehicle in President Park, Midrand. On their arrival, police found a Mercedes Benz that was on fire. After the fire was extinguished, human remains were found in the front seat of the car. Police immediately conducted an investigation, and the deceased was identified as police always prioritise cases of gender-based violence. During the investigation, it transpired that the deceased was killed and burnt inside the vehicle and the suspect is her boyfriend,” said Masondo.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said, “As the police, we will continue to prioritise cases where women and children are the victims. I am grateful for how the detectives handled this investigation and that the suspect is brought to book for the family to find closure.”
Midrand Reporter’s attempt to contact the family regarding the police’s breakthrough proved futile.
Rabalao’s sister referred the paper to her Mahlako’s boss, who did not respond to the paper’s query on WhatsApp and phone calls.
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