Last week detectives from the South African Police Service, together with colleagues from the Mozambican Police, discovered the body of a man whom we believe to be 25 year old Mattheus Jacques Els, who was reported as missing last year.
On 17 September 2010 Els left his home in Elspark, Germiston, picked up a co-worker in Wynburg, Johannesburg and drove to Mozambique to install laminated flooring. Police records indicate that he crossed into Mozambique on the same day through the Lembombo border post in his white Ford Bantam bakkie.
When he didn't arrive home as scheduled on 20 September 2010, his sister opened a missing persons report the next day at the Elsburg Police station. Germiston police detective Captain Stephen de Vos became involved in the investigation after information came to light that the missing man may have been the victim of a crime.
In May 2011, police managed to track down the co-worker who accompanied Els to Mozambique in Giyani, Limpopo. This man was a Mozambican national and he was initially arrested for being an illegal immigrant. Whilst he was in custody arrangements were made through our Interpol office, Home Affairs Immigration office and authorities in Mozambique that detectives together with the suspect enter Mozambique and a joint investigation be conducted.
The joint investigation led police to a village outside Masinga where they discovered a shallow grave and a body we strongly believe to be that of Mattheus Jacques Els. The vehicle used by Els was also found in the village and we believe that the motive for the murder was robbery. The Els family has been notified and a further identification of the body will be done once it arrives back in South Africa. The suspect was arrested and charged for murder by the Mozambican Police.
National Commissioner General Bheki Cele was very impressed with this cross-border investigation. "Thorough detective work and sound relations with our neighbouring police forces has yet again led to a crime committed against a South African in another country being solved through the coordinated efforts of the two police services," said General Cele.
Enquiries:
Captain Dennis Adriao
Cell: 082 828 5773
