A 38-year-old man was arrested and detained on Sunday after he was caught pushing a cart containing the body of a 19yrs old lady wrapped inside a bag at a Barberton dump in Mpumalanga.
Three women noticed the suspicious-looking man when they spotted him pushing a trolley that seemed heavy for him, according to the police.
If not for the timely intervention of the Barberton police the suspect would have been beaten to death as an enraged mob attacked the suspect after he was allegedly found with a woman’s body.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the man was allegedly found at a dumping site in Barberton, pushing a trolley with a 19-year-old’s body wrapped inside a bag.
“This shocking incident occurred yesterday afternoon Sunday, 19 February 2023 at about 2:25 pm.
“The suspicious-looking man caught the attention of three ladies when they reportedly saw him pushing the trolley which seemed heavy for him,” said Mohala.
“The ladies then stopped a certain taxi operator driving in a Kombi at the traffic lights, narrated what they observed, and requested him to assist in investigating.”
As the concerned women were interacting with the motorist, the heavy bag fell from the man’s trolley.
“His bag was opened by one of these concerned citizens and it was a surprise when the human body of a lady was found inside,” said Mohlala.
“The police in Barberton were immediately called. However, when they arrived, some community members had already started assaulting him. Be that as it may, police managed to calm down the situation and the suspect was rescued from the angry mob.”
He was arrested and taken to hospital to receive treatment under police guard.
“The motive, as well as cause of death, is yet to be established and a post-mortem will be conducted. Currently, the police investigation continues to unearth this whole shocking incident,” said Mohlala.