Zinhle Muthwa: Police arrest suspect in Durban woman’s murder

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Khombinkosi Jula has announced an arrest in the case of the murder of Zinhle Muthwa.

Muthwa’s body recovered from the Ndaya Reserve

Zinhle Muthwa went missing on New Year’s Eve, and her body was found covered in bruises and dumped in the Ndaya Reserve, in Umbumbulu south of Durban on Thursday. The cause of death is believed to have been a gunshot to the head. 

A friend and co-worker of Muthwa’s, Philisiwe Mnisi, shared the news of her disappearance on social media when she did not return home on New Year’s Eve.

“She left me while I was falling asleep and she was also getting ready for bed. I did not see her leave, but she left me a voice note [on WhatsApp] saying she was going to the Spar,” said Mnisi.

“Whenever she was going somewhere, she would tell me. She would always come back.”

Mnisi worked with Muthwa at a Durban Bed and Breakfast.

“She was training me to be a receptionist at the B&B. She was not just a friend but more like a big sister to me,” a shaken Mnisi added.

Like Muthwa, the suspect hails from Umbumbulu. Unverified reports suggested that Muthwa may have entered a vehicle with someone she knew. The police have not revealed whether the suspect had an established relationship with the murdered young woman.

The SAPS say they acted on information gathered from those who knew Muthwa and were able to identify and arrest a 30-year-old male suspect.

KZN SAPS believe they have recovered the murder weapon

When police arrested the suspect they recovered a firearm believed to have been the one used to murder Muthwa. The man will appear before the Umbumbulu Magistrate Court on Monday.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Jula praised investigators for the swiftness of the arrest.

“A case of murder was opened at Umbumbulu SAPS for further investigations. 

“Detectives led by the station commander of Umbumbulu followed up on information regarding the suspect involved in the murder of Zinhle Muthwa. 

“A 30-year-old suspect was arrested at Umbumbulu after an intensive investigation and a firearm that was used in the commission of Zinhle’s murder was confiscated. 

“The suspect will appear at the Umbumbulu Magistrate Court tomorrow (Monday),” Jula said in an official statement.

The murder of Muthwa sent shockwaves through Umbumbulu township near Durban, and the community had urged the SAPS to bring the perpetrator to justice.