Woman’s burnt remains found in shallow grave
A smouldering pile of bones could be the remains of a woman who was reported missing in July
A SHOCKING story of a brutal and bloody murder involving a burning tractor tyre, a wheelbarrow and a shovel has emerged from the quiet village of Port Dunford near eSikhawini.
Plantation workers made the gruesome discovery of a charred body at around 8am on Friday morning after noticing a black plume of smoke coming from an open field nearby.
Upon investigation, they discovered a body had been placed in a tractor tyre and then set on fire.
By the time police arrived, there was nothing left but a smouldering pile of bones.
It is believed the remains are those of a woman who was reported missing in eSikhawini on 12 July, although forensic tests would be required to make a positive identification.
Allegedly, she was staying with a man at Port Dunford at the time of her disappearance.
Shortly after the discovery of the burning bones, police were led to the nearby residence of a 49-year-old man.
Crime of passion
Investigation unearthed gory details of events, after which the man was arrested and taken to the eSikhawini police station.
The suspect had reported his girlfriend missing, but had in fact known of her whereabouts all along.
He had allegedly murdered her some time before the missing person’s report was filed, burying the body in a shallow grave not more than 100 metres from the home they shared.
Early on Friday morning, he apparently dug up the body, placed it in a wheelbarrow and pushed it out into the field.
Once there, he placed the body in a tractor tyre and set it on fire.
Motive
Police found the wheelbarrow he reportedly used on the property, with a number of pangas and a spade still inside.
They also found the grave where the body had been buried.
It is believed the body was dismembered before being taken out into the field.
The suspect will appear in the eSikhawini Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (Tuesday).
