Police launch manhunt after discovery of mutilated woman in Mpumalanga

The South African Police Service (SAPS) released a statement on 29 December 2019 saying that they are desperately looking for a suspect(s) in connection with a gruesome murder case which took place in Tweefontein, near Zamani Primary school in Mpumalanga. 

Police find a gruesome scene 

According to reports, on Saturday 28 December 2019 at about 08:30, police were called by members of the public to a gruesome scene where a woman was murdered.

Police rushed to the scene and upon arrival, they discovered a lifeless and half-naked body of a 25-year-old woman. The woman was lying on the ground with some body parts missing. 

The body of the woman, who has since been identified as Sphiwe Mtshweni, was also found with multiple stab wounds. 

Medical personnel were also summoned to the scene where the victim was certified dead.

A case of murder has been opened and detectives have immediately commenced with their investigation.

Suspect arrested for woman’s murder in separate incident 

Meanwhile, police at Emzinoni in Mpumalanga made a breakthrough on the case where the body of 48-year-old Mapule Jaquiline Thekiso was discovered floating in a dam on 17 November 2019, at Mzinoni.

Thekiso was reported missing in Vosman on 18 November 2019. 

During the tour of investigation, Rudolph Ngwenya, aged 28, was arrested in Calcutta near Hazyview in Mpumalanga, for being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle which belonged to Thekiso and was also linked to her murder. 

Ngwenya first appeared at the Bethal Magistrates’ Court on 24 December 2019 where the case was postponed to 7 January 2020.

Police commissioner disturbed

The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has strongly condemned the women’s murder and has appealed to the community to assist with information that can assist in apprehending Sphiwe Mtshweni’s killers.

“I am disturbed by the heartless killing of women in this province. It is paramountly important that people should talk if they have differences than killing each other,” said General Zuma.

The police appeal to the public to assist with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) by calling Captain Vusimuzi Mahlangu at 082 318 9894 or contact Tweefontein SAPS on 082 922 9412. 

Members of the community can anonymously call 08600 10111. Alternatively, the public can download MYSAPS APP to anonymously send valuable information to the police.