Police have arrested a 52-year-old man after the the body of his wife was found in bushes a few days after she left their marital home.
Crossroads resident, Nomzi Nthane, was found strangled and her remains dumped in a bush near her sister’s house in Blikkiesdorp, Delft, on Tuesday.
The mother of four had left her marital home in Crossroads on Sunday afternoon and told her family she was tired of being abused by the suspect.
The victim’s sister Ncumisa Phango, 42, told the Weekend Argus her sibling informed her that her 52-year-old husband appeared to be okay with the separation.
“Nomzi came to my place in Blikkiesdorp and told me she was fed up with her abusive husband.
“He gave her the bank card and told her she can withdraw money and come to my place and she did.
“He called on Sunday and said he had told my mom and his family that they were separated and he wanted his lobola back and she was okay with that,” she said.
Ncumisa last saw her sister on Tuesday at around 8am.
“She helped take my child to crèche with my neighbour.
“My neighbour came to inform me that Nomzi was busy talking to her husband on Symphony Way and when I went to look she wasn’t there.
“We started searching for her even in the bushes but didn’t go far in there, someone suggested that we go to the husband’s place in Crossroads,” she recalled.
“He was home and we took him to Delft police station where he was asked about Nomzi’s whereabouts, but didn’t tell the truth.”
The police drove with the suspect where he said he last saw Nomzi and called the K-9 Unit.
The victim’s body was first seen by a man who was picking up wood who then reported to the police.
She had been strangled and had bruises on her upper arms.
“We are devastated, this couple had only been married for six months, but they had known each other for many years. He was her first love but they went their separate ways,” she added.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the body was found in the bushes between the airport fence and N2 Gateway, Leiden, Delft.
“Her family reported her as missing and members of SAPS, with the assistance of the K9 Unit found the body of the deceased in the bushes,” he added.
“Circumstances surrounding her death are under investigation. A 52-year-old man was arrested. He is due to appear in court once charged.”
Weekend Argus