A decomposing body of an identified woman was found in the bedroom of a man in custody for domestic violence in eMbalenhle, Mpumalanga.
According to the police, the gruesome discovery was made at Extension 11 after the suspect’s mother was alarmed by flies and a foul smell emanating from her son’s room.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the suspect, 45-year-old Leloko Mapitsi, was detained after being arrested in connection with a domestic violence case on Wednesday when a body was found in his room.
A shocking discovery
He explained that after his arrest, his mother became worried about the flies as well as the horrible smell coming from his room.
“He was told that he could not access the room to see the reason because the suspect locked it and took the key of the room during his arrest. He then reported to the Police Station to alert him of his concern,” said Mohlala.
Upon arrival, he said, the police also experienced and witnessed what the woman reported as they approached the room.
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Mohlala said one of the family members helped by breaking down the door to get into the room and that’s when they made the shocking discovery of the mutilated body.
“[The] body lifeless and almost decomposed found lying on the bed and more covered in blankets. The murdered woman was wearing only a white shirt. The victim is fair-skinned and aged between 25 and 30 years old,” he said.
Strangled with a shoelace
Mohlala said a case of homicide was opened and an investigation was immediately launched, with preliminary investigations suggesting that the deceased may have been strangled with a shoelace found around her neck.
He said the body also had signs of blood and the police suspected that the murder could have been committed by Mapitsi before he was arrested on charges of Contravention of the Protection Order against which the mother was the complainant.
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“Additional charges of murder were later leveled against him. Police are also looking for the woman’s family and are urging anyone who may be looking for a loved one matching the description to visit Embalenhle Police Station,” Mohlala said.
He said alternatively, members of the public can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information through MYSAPSAPP and all information received will be treated as confidential and callers can choose to remain anonymous.
Protection Order
The body was found a day after Mapitsi appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for a pending Contravention of a Protection Order case.
The domestic violence matter was adjourned until February 23 for a formal bail application and he was remanded in custody.
Mapitsi is expected to appear in the same court for the latest manslaughter charges in connection with the discovery of the body in the room.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, the Mpumalanga police commissioner, condemned the incident and indicated that the investigative team would provide more details on the incident so that justice would be done for the deceased.
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