KNYSNA: – A 36-year-old man appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 30 April, in connection with the brutal murder of his girlfriend, whose body was found dumped in a pit toilet in the Nekkies informal settlement.
The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning, following the grim discovery that has left the local community shocked and mourning.
According to residents, the couple had been living together, and the victim’s sister was visiting over the weekend. Nobom Mfene, a concerned community member, told reporters that the deceased never returned home from work on Saturday.
“The suspect told her sister that she was still at work, even though it was already late,” Mfene said. “She noticed he was acting strangely—restless and frequently going to the toilet. That raised suspicions.”
Alarmed, the sister contacted other family members and reported the victim as missing. Police were summoned in the early hours of Sunday and, during a search of the property, discovered the woman’s body inside an outside pit toilet. Preliminary findings suggest she had been strangled.
Residents also alleged that the suspect had used the victim’s cell phone and bank cards throughout Saturday.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the murder investigation:
“Knysna police have opened a case of murder following the death of a 36-year-old female on Sunday, 27 April, in Nekkies. Officers found the victim in an outside toilet. A 36-year-old male has since been arrested in connection with the case.”
The suspect remains in custody, and the case has been postponed to 9 May for a formal bail application.
Dozens of residents attended the court hearing to show support for the grieving family. The victim’s name has not yet been officially released, pending further investigation and notification of extended family.
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