North West Premier Thandi Modise appeals for calm following arrest of Swartruggens gruesome murder suspect
North West Premier Thandi Modise has appealed for calm following the arrest of a parolee in connection with the gruesome murder of a Swartruggens woman whose mutilated body was discovered behind a tavern over the past weekend.
"We wish to commend police for the swift arrest of the suspect and appeal that though painful, such incidents should not define the relationship between our black community with their white compatriots and defocus us from pursuing non-racialism, reconciliation and nation-building," Premier Modise said.
"Irrespective of the fact that the arrested suspect is a white person, all law abiding citizens across racial lines should condemn the horrendous and ghastly act and allow the law to take its course for justice to be done."
"We should unite in action against crime and intensify efforts to rid our communities of the escalating incidents and combat the scourge of gender based violence," Modise emphasised.
According to police, the body of the woman, believed to be aged between 26 and 30, was discovered by a passer-by on Sunday afternoon in the bush behind a tavern near the Swartruggens shopping complex. Police Spokesperson Captain Pelonomi Makau had earlier said that the woman was found half-naked wearing only a T-shirt.
“Her face was smashed with a stone... Her breasts were cut off and her private parts slightly cut with an unknown sharp instrument,” Captain Makau had said.
Her stomach had also been cut open. The suspect is expected to appear in the Swartruggens Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
Email: LKgwele@gmail.com
