Man accused of abducting girlfriend dies after community assaults him - but not before revealing where he buried her

Thokozile Makhowane’s semi-decomposed body was found in a shallow grave. File picture: SAPS Twitter

Thokozile Makhowane’s semi-decomposed body was found in a shallow grave. File picture: SAPS Twitter

Published Dec 8, 2021

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DURBAN - A man who was previously arrested as a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend revealed where he buried her body after community members assaulted him.

Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said that on November 14, 2021, Thokozile Makhowane, 34, left home with her boyfriend but she never returned.

Mbele said the matter was reported to the police and a case of abduction was opened at Besters police station, north of Ladysmith, western KwaZulu-Natal.

She said detectives arrested the 44-year-old man with whom she was last seen and he was released by the court due to insufficient evidence. However, the investigating officer continued with his investigation while keeping a close eye on the man.

“On Monday night at 9pm, a group of people confronted the man at his residence and demanded answers. He was severely assaulted until he showed them where he had buried Thokozile’s body. The semi-decomposed body was found in a shallow grave at Bramhoea in Besters area,” Mbele said.

“The police intervened and managed to rescue the man from the angry community. He sustained multiple wounds and succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital.”

Mbele said Besters detectives were investigating a case of murder.

She advised the public not to take the law into their own hands but to always call the police for assistance.

“Those found to be involved in the killing of the man will face the law. They will be arrested and charged accordingly,” Mbele said.

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