Mashishing (Formerly Lydenburg) – The woman, whose body was found in bushes in Mashishing, Mpumalanga, has been identified as 41-year-old farm worker Vinolia Sedibe.
Ironically, her body was found on Monday, (2 December 2024), right in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the abuse of women and children.
Police said the deceased was identified by her next of kin.
Police investigations indicate that two intruders stormed into Sedibe’s workplace, kidnapped her, and later strangled her to death.
Initially, Sedibe and another woman were held hostage by robbers.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said two Mozambicans aged 34 and 47 were arrested on Tuesday, (3 December 2024), in connection with the farm worker’s murder.
Narrating events leading to the arrests, Brigadier Mdhluli said: “Their arrest emanates from an incident whereby two suspects stormed into a farmhouse, held two females hostage, and staged a house robbery.
“Tragically, one of the females was strangled, thereafter, her body was discovered in the nearby bushes.
“However the quick response and investigation by the police detectives led to the swift apprehension of the suspects.”
The arrested suspects will soon appear in the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court.
“They will face charges of murder, house robbery, attempted rape, and other related offences,” Brigadier Mdhluli said.
SA Police Service Acting Mpumalanga Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi said: “It is deeply concerning that such a heinous crime occurred during the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children but we are encouraged that the suspects were apprehended”.
