Three suspects, including an ex-girlfriend, have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 35-year-old man and his 29-year-old pregnant partner, who went missing in Vanderbijlpark on December 15.
According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo, the suspects, aged 30 to 32, are facing murder, kidnapping, and house robbery charges and are scheduled to appear in Heidelberg magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
An initial police report stated that the couple was last seen on December 14 by a family member who paid them a visit at their home. When the man did not show up for work the next day, they were reported missing. The couple’s car was also gone.
Masondo said that a police unit had been dispatched to search for the victims. “A thorough search and investigation led to the arrest of three suspects in Heidelberg and the discovery of the bodies in an open field in Heidelberg on December 23.”
SurgeZirc SA reported that the family thanked the public for their assistance in a statement released on Saturday, December 24th, and confirmed that the couple had died.
“After a thorough search of our beautiful couple we have found them, but it is with deep regret to announce the passing of Nokuphila Fortunate Dladla and Kiwiet Makangeni Mokoena.
“The date and cause of death are still to be confirmed, and it is still under heavy investigation,” the statement read.