Mthwalume: Body ‘burnt beyond recognition’ found on Saturday morning

A sixth body has been found in Mthwalume, KwaZulu-Natal. On Saturday 29 August, a body, burnt beyond recognition was found dumped on the side of the road. 

BODY FOUND IN MTHWALUME

SAPS Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed the incident.  

“This morning at approximately 6:00, passers-by on route to work, found the unidentified body lying on the side of the road at Nomakazana location in the Mthwalume area,” he said. 

“The body was burnt beyond recognition and covered in a plastic. At this stage, we cannot say whether it is a male or a female,” he added. 

Naicker said indications are that the person was killed elsewhere and then the body was dumped on the roadside. Police at Hibberdene is investigating a case of murder. 

Detectives are still on the scene and further updates will be provided once the investigation progresses. 

Naicker also said this murder doesn’t appear to have anything to do with the serial murders that have been taking place in the area since the start of the lockdown. 

MURDERS IN THE AREA  

Since the start of lockdown, at least five women have been found dead in the Mthwalume area, leading police to believe that there was a potential serial killer in the area. Two suspects were eventually arrested, however, one of them allegedly committed suicide in his cell before his scheduled court appearance. 

KwaZulu-Natal’s community safety MEC Bheki Ntuli said there is a strong chance that there are more victims.

Speaking to eNCA, Ntuli said the man who led police to some of the bodies, was expected to show them where his other victims were located.

“We were convinced that was our serial killer and that it was him that was the kingpin in the whole thing. Remember he was found dead yesterday when he was going to point us to other areas where he had killed,” he said.

“He had only showed us three sites (where had left the bodies) but he was yet to show us more and he was also going to tell us with whom (he was committing these murders)”.

The remaining suspect, for now, is a free man as there is not enough evidence against him.