Police have exhumed the body of a 30 year-old woman at Mpola township outside Pinetown west of Durban. She went missing on her birthday, 1 February. A suspect believed to be her boyfriend led the police to a shallow grave just outside his house.
A birthday that turned tragic. Xolisile Chonco was last seen leaving her work place on 1 February.
Her mother alerted police after she did not find her at her house. She had gone to surprise her daughter with a birthday cake.
A search for her then ensued. A suspect believed to her boyfriend was arrested on Wednesday. On Thursday he led the police to the shallow grave. Police say the mother of two was strangled to death.
The family say they told the police who was responsible but the investigating officer refused to arrest him.
“He told us he could not arrest her boyfriend without having any evidence. He even said this to his face. We want the state to charge him because he failed us,” says the deceased’s father.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele; “Investigation must start at the back and fore take statements before they approach a person. There was no suspect in this case. So they have to make sure that they do a quality investigation before they approach a person that is suspected to be a suspect.”
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon, facing a charge of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Click below for more on the story:
