A 38-year-old man has been arrested for the murder and rape of a woman. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her tragic demise.
KwaZulu-Natal police explain that Zilandile Xulu’s lifeless body was found on a cliff on June 30. She had allegedly been raped, stabbed and strangled to death.
According to Captain Nqobile Gwala, police spokesperson, the 34-year-old woman had gone missing on June 27. Her disappearance was not initially reported to the police.
Following the discovery of her body, a case was opened at the Hlobane Police Station for investigation. Police investigations revealed she was killed in her bedroom, before being dragged out and thrown down the cliff.
Among her injuries, Zilandile also sustained a broken neck and stab wounds to her stomach.
“The persistence by Hlobane detectives to solve the case led to the arrest of the suspect on Friday night, July 3, after an exhaustive operation with the Vryheid K9 Unit.” Gwala said.
Attempting to evade arrest, the suspect had fled his home and hid in a dense mountainous forest. This proved to be a futile attempt.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula welcomed the arrest, commending the team who worked tirelessly around the clock to solve the case.
The suspect will be appearing in Vryheid’s Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of rape and murder.
