A man accused of killing his girlfriend and burying her in his backyard failed to appear in court.
The man was hospitalised after he was assaulted by furious residents.
The man allegedly brutally killed his girlfriend Nonkululeko Zondi, 20, chopped off her head and legs, burnt her and stuffed her remains in a sack last week.
He allegedly buried the remains in the backyard of his home in Mbali township, Pietermaritzburg .
Zondi went missing from her home last Tuesday after she apparently went to a nearby tuckshop.
After the family reported the matter last Friday, police discovered remains identified as Zondi's buried in a shallow grave in her lover's backyard.
The boyfriend was arrested and charged with murder the same day.
Police spokeswoman Nqobile Gwala said the suspect did not appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court because of his injuries after the beating by residents last Friday.
"He is expected to appear in court when he has recovered," Gwala said.
Yesterday, furious residents burnt the suspect's home to ashes and made it clear that he and his family were no longer welcome to live in their neighbourhood.
"We're traumatised by the death of my daughter. She was studying public relations. We were expecting more from her," said Zondi's father Musawenkosi. He said it was the nasty smell coming from the backyard that led to the discovery of his daughter's remains.
A resident who agreed to speak to Sowetan anonymously said the suspect's family were fortunate because they were not hurt.
"Burning their home to ashes was a sign that they are no longer wanted in our community. We cannot live with people who have a son behaving like an animal," said the resident.
Gwala confirmed that a case of arson has been opened but no one has been arrested.
Investigating officer Captain Nhlanhla Msweli said when police arrived at the home, the owner was nowhere to be found.
"The body was mutilated and buried with other chopped parts in a bag.
"We managed to trace a 35-year old man in connection with the murder he will appear in court next week," said Msweli.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
Chopped up and buried in yard
A man accused of killing his girlfriend and burying her in his backyard failed to appear in court.
The man was hospitalised after he was assaulted by furious residents.
The man allegedly brutally killed his girlfriend Nonkululeko Zondi, 20, chopped off her head and legs, burnt her and stuffed her remains in a sack last week.
He allegedly buried the remains in the backyard of his home in Mbali township, Pietermaritzburg .
Zondi went missing from her home last Tuesday after she apparently went to a nearby tuckshop.
After the family reported the matter last Friday, police discovered remains identified as Zondi's buried in a shallow grave in her lover's backyard.
The boyfriend was arrested and charged with murder the same day.
Police spokeswoman Nqobile Gwala said the suspect did not appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court because of his injuries after the beating by residents last Friday.
"He is expected to appear in court when he has recovered," Gwala said.
Yesterday, furious residents burnt the suspect's home to ashes and made it clear that he and his family were no longer welcome to live in their neighbourhood.
"We're traumatised by the death of my daughter. She was studying public relations. We were expecting more from her," said Zondi's father Musawenkosi. He said it was the nasty smell coming from the backyard that led to the discovery of his daughter's remains.
A resident who agreed to speak to Sowetan anonymously said the suspect's family were fortunate because they were not hurt.
"Burning their home to ashes was a sign that they are no longer wanted in our community. We cannot live with people who have a son behaving like an animal," said the resident.
Gwala confirmed that a case of arson has been opened but no one has been arrested.
Investigating officer Captain Nhlanhla Msweli said when police arrived at the home, the owner was nowhere to be found.
"The body was mutilated and buried with other chopped parts in a bag.
"We managed to trace a 35-year old man in connection with the murder he will appear in court next week," said Msweli.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
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