The family of Tshepiso Maekisa, who was killed and her body was dumped in a veld in Heidelberg last week, has expressed relief after police arrested her boyfriend and father of her two-year-old daughter for the murder.
Maekisa, 32, was last seen on January 10 by her family when she left home to go visit the boyfriend in Vosloosrus. She never returned home.
"I then reported her missing after not being able to reach her on her phone for over four days. It was very unusual, so I panicked but little did I know that she was already killed," said her grieving mom, Stella.
Stella told Sowetan that she was relieved by the arrest of the suspect, though it would not bring back her only daughter.
"I can now bury her in peace and raise her daughter knowing she will get justice."
When asked about the relationship between Maekisa and her lover, the mother said she did not know him well.
"I had only seen him once and we were not close but I trusted him with my daughter because they had a child. It never crossed my mind that he would kill her, dump her body so brutally and even sell her car.
Maekisa will be buried in Alexandra tomorrow.
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Police spokesperson Cpt Kay Makhubele said the man was traced through crime intelligence after the woman was reported missing from January 10.
“The suspect had been hiding since the discovery of the body of the woman," said Makhubele.
Makhubeke said a collaboration between the police and community members.
“Police followed the information which led them to the [victim's] car in Alberton. The person found in possession of the victim's car led the police to the boyfriend who sold the car to him,” said Makhubele.
Makhubele said the boyfriend admitted that he had killed her and dumped her in an open veld in Heidelberg.
“It was discovered that a case of murder was opened after a body of woman was found in an open field though at the time no-one knew who had killed her.”
The arrested man is expected to appear at Gershon magistrates court soon. Police said they will continue to prioritise cases of crime committed against women and children and to ensure that perpetrators are hunted down and arrested.
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