Durban – A KwaZulu-Natal couple accused of brutally murdering 33-year-old Shakas Head resident, Doctor William Mputhi, has been remanded in custody for seven days following their appearance in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old pair was arrested on Monday in an operation led by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA). Officers received information that the couple, along with their three-year-old child, was planning to flee to Richards Bay.
They were tracked down to a house in Shakaskraal, where RUSA monitored the area before moving in to make the arrests.
According to RUSA, the woman was arrested first while holding her child and denied any involvement in the killing.
Her partner was discovered hiding under a pile of clothing and attempted to escape before being restrained by officers.
Police allege the couple fatally attacked Mputhi in front of his six-year-old daughter and several witnesses. He was repeatedly stabbed and hacked with a dagger and a sickle, and died before paramedics could reach him.
Investigations also revealed that the female suspect has multiple children living separately across KwaZulu-Natal, including one in Richards Bay and three others in different towns. Families contacted RUSA expressing concern for the wellbeing of the children.
During their brief court appearance, the couple requested state-appointed Legal Aid attorneys. Their next court date has been set for September 10, 2025.
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Picture: Facebook/Rusa
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
