Three in dock for dumping body in river

Three suspects are expected to appear in the Marble Hall Magistrate’s Court again soon after they were arrested in connection with the recent disappearance of Rebecca Maleswena (38) and for allegedly dumping her body into the crocodile-infested Olifants River in February.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that Suliman Makambira (39) and Lucky Mmaphafudi (30) were expected to apply for bail on Tuesday while Selina Phiri (40) was recently denied bail and remanded in custody until 23 April for further Police investigations.
Maleswena who was employed at a surgery in Marble Hall and who resided at Moganyaka Village outside town mysteriously disappeared late February.
It is reported that she received a phone call from an unknown woman who arranged to meet her at a restaurant next to the Marble Taxi Rank on the specific day. She allegedly boarded a taxi from her home to meet the woman but never returned and was reported missing by her family on 28 February, according to Ngoepe.
A team of dedicated investigators followed-up all information which led to the arrest of Phiri within days after the missing person’s report was submitted. This was followed by Mmaphafudi’s arrest as well as the apprehension of Makambira in Gauteng. They are all facing a charge of kidnapping.
Ngoepe reiterated that investigations have revealed that the trio might have thrown Maleswena’s body into the Olifants River and the Search and Rescue Unit was immediately activated.
They have been searching the river for the whole of last week without any success.
Ngoepe indicated that the three suspects are positively linked to the disappearance of the victim but that the motive behind the incident is still being investigated and that the search for her body is also continuing.
Anyone with information can contact investigating officer Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or report to the nearest Police station.

Story: RC Myburgh
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