A 42-year-old male was arrested yesterday in at Sihlakwane Village, Groblersdal in the Limpopo province for the alleged murder of a woman.
On November 6, a missing person’s inquiry was opened at the Carolina Police Station after Nokuhle Lethukuthula Malaza (26) disappeared.
According to police reports, she was last seen in the company of the suspect who is her partner at Kromkrans Village on Saturday, November 1. The two were reportedly seen leaving a local tavern together, but since that evening, the woman never returned home, while the male was seen back in the area alone.
Family members and community members from Kromkrans demanded answers from the man regarding Nokuhle’s whereabouts. The suspect allegedly fled the area and went to hide at his sister’s house in Sikhululile Village, Mafube Section, Arnot.
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Preliminary investigations by Carolina detectives led them to Arnot, where they were informed that the suspect had been taken to Middelburg Hospital. On Monday this week, the police proceeded to the hospital, where they were told that the suspect had been transferred to Witbank Hospital for special treatment. Detectives left their contact details with the hospital for follow-up once he was available for questioning as a person of interest.
On Wednesday November 12, members of the Kromkrans community blocked the roads, demanding for the suspect’s arrest.
Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the police later returned to Middelburg Hospital and learned that the suspect had been discharged the previous day.
“They proceeded to his sister’s residence but did not find him there. However, a vehicle allegedly used during the woman’s disappearance was impounded for further investigation. Attempts to contact him on his cellphone were unsuccessful.”
Through forensic and intelligence-driven operations, the team traced the suspect to Sihlakwane Village where the suspect was en route to Monsterlus.
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“The team proceeded there and found him with his luggage, waiting for transport. He was immediately arrested and transported back to Carolina SAPS. During questioning, the suspect allegedly stated that he assaulted his girlfriend with a beer bottle and left her unconscious. A pointing-out was conducted, during which the suspect led police to a bushy area on a farm between Chrissiesmeer and Carolina where her naked and decomposed body was found,” said Ndubane.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on November 17, 2025, facing a murder charge.
