Arrested suspect cleared of links to murder victims

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.

Two of the slain women who have been identified by family and friends on social media are 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,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

“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 later found 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. – ANA