Arrested man can’t be linked to murdered pair

There was no evidence to link the man who was expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday to the murder of two women who were found in different locations in Soweto, the National Prosecuting Authority said.

The women have been identified by family and friends on social media as Bongeka Phungula, 28, and Popi Qwabe, 24.

“The NPA in the Protea court refused to place the murder docket of Bongeka and Popi on the roll, as there is no evidence that links the arrested suspect at this stage, which means that the docket did not meet the minimum requirements for a matter to be placed on the roll,” NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said.

“The NPA has instructed the investigating officer to conduct certain investigations. Once concluded, the docket must be brought back to the NPA for a decision.”

Initially, it was reported that three men were arrested for the murders, but the NPA has confirmed that only one man had been arrested.

The women, who were friends, were reported missing on May 12. Their bodies were found in different locations in Soweto. Phungula’s body was found in Tladi with gunshot wounds to the head. Qwabe was identified at a mortuary in Naledi. Indications are that both women were raped before they were murdered.

On the same weekend, a third body, which has not been identified, was found burnt.

At the time, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police were following up on allegations that it might be the body of a woman who was reported missing in a location in Soweto.

No arrests have been made in connection with her murder.

A fourth body, identified as that of Lerato Moloi, 27, was found half-naked on Sunday.

Police suspect the murdered woman, allegedly a lesbian, was raped before being killed.

Police said two men were arrested in connection with Moloi’s murder. The suspects appeared at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Their matter was postponed to May 29 and they were remanded in custody. – ANA