Police have found a second body this morning, February 18, inside a rental room in Ext11, eMbalenhle, where an unknown woman’s body was discovered only a day before.
A police detective found the severely decomposed body of a man wrapped in plastic under the bed while searching for something with which he could identify a woman whose body was discovered in the same room the previous day (Friday, February 17).
The police’s forensic team has removed the decomposed body of the man. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
The body of the woman found in the room of the 45-year-old suspect, was in an early stage of decomposition.
Police found the first body when the suspect’s mother alerted the police of a foul odour and flies coming from her son’s room.
She could not access the room because her son had locked the door and taken the key with him when he was arrested on another unrelated case two days before and was still in police custody.
The suspect had been arrested on Wednesday, February 15, and appeared in court on Thursday February 16 for domestic violence against his mother after he violated a restraining order. This case was postponed to February 23 and the suspect was remanded in custody.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesman, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, police officers who responded to the mother’s alert, also observed a bad smell and flies.
A family member helped to break open the door.
“That was when the shocking discovery of the first body was made. A woman’s nearly decomposed body was found in bed and further covered in blankets. The woman was only wearing a white T-shirt. The victim is light in complexion and her age is estimated to be between 25 and 30,” Mohlala said in a media statement.
According to Mohlala, the preliminary investigation revealed that this woman could have been strangled as a shoelace was found around her neck. The woman’s body also had some signs of bleeding.
“We (the police) suspect that the murder could have been committed prior to the suspect’s arrest .”
The suspect will appear in court on murder charges on Monday, February 20.
The Police are now trying to determine the identities of the two victims.
Anyone with information is asked to visit the eMbalenhle Police Station.
Alternatively, the public can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
