A Gugulethu community member in Cape Town was left horrified after discovering the body of a woman stuffed inside a wheelie bin on Tuesday, 20 January.
The woman, who was last seen alive on Sunday, 18 January, had allegedly been brutally murdered and dumped in a bin near an abandoned building in the NY1 area.
After making the gruesome discovery, the resident alerted other community members, many of whom reportedly knew the deceased. Shocked residents described the killing as cruel, heartless and deeply disturbing.
Gugulethu Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Deon Makiti called on police to act swiftly and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“Obviously, we at the Gugulethu CPF are concerned about this incident, as we have always believed that crimes of this nature are becoming more frequent,” said Makiti.
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He added that the community is increasingly worried about the rise in gender-based violence and appealed to residents to assist law enforcement.
“We therefore urge anyone with information relating to this murder to contact the Gugulethu police station,” he said.
A resident who witnessed the scene said the emotional pain was overwhelming.
“The scene was painful to watch because we know the deceased. Killing her and putting her in a bin was completely inhumane,” the resident said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that officers responded swiftly after the body was found.
“An arrest was made after Gugulethu police attended a crime scene in NY1, Gugulethu, where they discovered the body of a woman behind an abandoned building,” said Twigg.
“The 40-year-old victim sustained multiple injuries to her body and was declared dead at the scene. Gugulethu detectives immediately launched an investigation, followed up on information and interviewed several individuals.”
Twigg said the investigation led police to the woman’s ex-boyfriend.
“Detectives traced and arrested the victim’s 38-year-old ex-partner on a charge of murder,” he said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates Court on Thursday, 22 January. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
Source – Daily Sun
