Arrest after mom’s body and dogs dug up

CAPE ARGUS

The body of Hazel Nkomo was found buried in her backyard in Mfuleni. Picture: David Ritchie

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Cape Town - A great piece of detective work by Mfuleni policewoman Warrant Officer Delia Rhodes led to the discovery of the body of a 43-year-old woman who had been missing for more than four weeks. The police have arrested a man in connection with the case.

The body of Hazel Nkomo was found in a grave behind her home in Kala Walk, Mfuleni, on Tuesday. Two dogs, the family pets, were buried on top of her.

According to the police, Nkomo’s husband Nothununu Mfazwe said he had last seen his wife on February 16. She was reported missing on March 14 when her family became suspicious about her disappearance.

On a visit to the house on Tuesday, Rhodes, who has been with the police for 18 years, noticed an unusual smell in the yard.

Mfazwe reportedly told her it was caused by the two dead dogs, but “investigative skills and a hunch” told her otherwise.

Acting on her instinct, Rhodes asked for the dogs to be dug up.

“After the dogs had been dug up, the husband said that he would go next door to borrow a shovel. He went, but did not come back,” said police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk.

“A 44-year-old man has been taken in for questioning after good investigation from the police and the community.”

According to the police, the man was arrested in Khayelitsha and would appear in court next week on a charge of murder.

sibusisiwe.lwandle@inl.co.za

Cape Argus