Giyani: Husband accused denied bail in wife’s murder case
The 23-year-old man handed himself over to the police a day after his wife's body was found buried in a shallow grave outside their home.
LIMPOPO – The Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Monday denied bail to a 32-year-old man who stands accused of murdering his wife earlier this month.
Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe says the man faces a charge of murder and his case was postponed to 27 January for further police investigations.
The body of 53-year-old Slindile Agnes Biyela was found buried in a shallow grave next to their home in Nwadzekudzeku village under Giyani policing area on Thursday, 7 January.
9 January
LIMPOPO – A 32-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of his 53-year-old wife after he handed himself over to the police on Friday, 8 January. His arrest comes a day after neighbours found the body of his wife buried in a shallow grave next to their home in Nwadzekudzeku village under Giyani policing area on Thursday, 7 January.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapleo says the neighbours made the grisly discovery after they went to investigate after hearing the couple argue the evening before.
“It is alleged the residents had heard the couple arguing on Tuesday evening at around 21:30 and when they noticed that there were no movement in the yard the next day they went to investigate. Traces of bloodstains were allegedly seen through the window of the house and a bad smell was coming from a shack that had been erected in front of the house. They then decided to forcefully open the door of the shack and discovered the shallow grave.”
The police were called to the scene and a body, which was identified as that of the wife, was exhumed from the shallow grave.
A manhunt was launched for the husband and he was arrested on Friday afternoon, after he handed himself over to the police in Malumulele.
The husband is expected to appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Monday 11 January on a charge of murder.
“The motive for the murder is unknown at this stage but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.”
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has strongly condemned this incident, labelling it one of the horrendous crimes perpetrated against women. “The arrest of this suspect and the actions that were taken by the local residents are commendable and should send a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide will not have any place to hide. We therefore urge our communities to continue working with the police by reporting crimes that take place in their localities,” concluded Ledwaba.
