Ntwaagae Seleka

Ntwaagae Seleka

A 52-year-old man arrested for the murder of his wife whose headless body was found in the Free State, yesterday committed suicide while in custody, Vaal Rand police said.

Edward Mathole had confessed to killing his wife, Roselina, a nursing sister in Sasolburg, and decapitating her. Roselina's headless body was found in Vredefort next to a dam last week.

Mathole was due to point out the whereabouts of his wife's head yesterday. He was found dead at 2am in a Vanderbijlpark police holding cell. He had hanged himself with a blanket, said spokesman Captain Veli Mcera.

Mcera said: "During interrogation, Mathole admitted to murdering his wife and promised to point out the scene of the crime and where he had dumped the body and the head.

"We linked the man to his wife's death after we discovered bloodstains in the car he was driving," said Mcera.

Mcera said the woman had earlier laid assault charges against her husband and complained that he was abusive. She was about to divorce him.

"She informed the police that Mathole told her that her body would never be found like that of police Constable Francis Rasuge," said Mcera.

She had also filed for a protection order against Mathole.

Mathole was arrested in Sharpeville on Saturday morning.

Mcera said: "Our investigations are still continuing. We will do everything to bring the murder to book. Anyone who might have helped Mathole to commit this dastardly act will also be charged."

Police have pleaded with anyone who might have information about Roselina Mathole's head to contact detectives at the Vanderbijlpark police station.