The search for a missing Mpumalanga man ended in horror after police uncovered his body buried in a shallow grave at a Bushbuckridge property where his stripped Volvo had been hidden, leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect allegedly found with the victim’s firearm.
The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, May 10, at Violetbank Trust in Bushbuckridge following an intensive police investigation into the disappearance of 54-year-old Solomon Grans Madonsela.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during the arrest. Investigators later established that the firearm belonged to Madonsela, who had been reported missing days earlier.
Madonsela was reported missing at Masoyi Police Station on May 4 after he failed to return home. Police said he was last seen on April 30 driving his blue Volvo.
The breakthrough came after a community member spotted the stripped vehicle inside the garage of a house at Violetbank Trust.
“A member of the community spotted the stripped vehicle of the missing person inside the garage of a house at Violetbank Trust in Bushbuckridge and immediately alerted the Police,” said Masondo.
He said officers positively identified the vehicle as belonging to the missing man before conducting a search of the property.
“A further search of the yard led to the discovery of a shallow grave,” he said.
Various police units, including forensic experts, were called to the scene as investigators excavated the grave.
“With the assistance of other role players, the grave was excavated and the body of a man, covered in a blanket, was found,” Masondo said.
The body was later identified by family members as that of Madonsela.
The motive for the killing remains under investigation.
Police have urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward as investigations continue.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The Star
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