Amersfoort – Nineteen-year-old Simphiwe Mkhwanazi – arrested for killing a woman more than twice his age – has been remanded in custody by the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court, in Mpumalanga.
Mkhwanazi, who is accused of the murder of 37-year-old married mother Ellen Dlamini and burying her in a shallow grave at the local cemetery in Daggakraal, will be back in court on 11 September 2023.
Dlamini was reported missing before her body was discovered. A person noticed limbs protruding from the ground and alerted authorities.
Mkhwanazi was the last person seen with her. He was arrested after police interrogated him and he appeared in court on Monday.
Narrating events leading to the teenager’s arrest, Mpumalanga SA Police Service spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said Dlamini’s body was exhumed from the shallow grave at the Daggakraal cemetery at the weekend.
The body had bruises on the face, Brigadier Mohlala said.
The deceased had been reported missing by her husband on 8 August 2-23 – four days after she was last seen leaving a tavern at night allegedly flanked by the murder accused, Mkhwanazi.
Dlamini’s 17-year-old daughter raised the alarm when her mother failed to return home.
The deceased’s husband works in Gauteng and was summoned by neighbours after it became apparent his wife had “disappeared”.
“Police received information that there was a shallow grave in the local cemetery with some body parts protruding from the grave,” Brigadier Mohlala said.
“Dlamini’s body was then unearthed in the presence of her husband who positively identified her,”
“The body had bruises on the face and the bone shoved down her throat. Not far from the grave, some of her clothing was identified by her partner.”
Brigadier Mohala said investigations led to the arrest of Mkhwanazi after being interrogated by the police.
“Mkhwanazi, who was the last person to be seen in the company of the deceased, was detained for questioning which resulted in him being charged with murder.”
