Woman arrested over boyfriend's murder and hidding body in bedroom

A MATOBO woman on the run after allegedly axing her live-in boyfriend and hiding the body in their bedroom has been arrested, Chronicle reported.

Sinqobile Ncube was arrested on Boxing Day at her rural home in Bazha, Matobo District, after having been on the run for close to a week following the fatal attack on Mabutho Ncube, 35, of Gulathi village, also in Matobo District.

The motive for the murder has not yet been established, but Mabutho's relatives suspect that Sinqobile was assisted by unknown people to kill her boyfriend.

Mabutho's brother, Qhubani Ncube, told Chronicle yesterday that police had informed the family that Sinqobile had been arrested and was detained at Matobo Police Station.

"We were told by the police that Sinqobile was arrested a day before yesterday (Friday) at her rural homestead in Bazha," said Ncube.

He said they wanted her to return property she had looted from their brother's home.

"Our souls are now at peace since the arrest of Sinqobile. We want this woman to bring back the property that she took from our brother.  We're still yet to meet with her family over the issue," he said.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to receive details in connection with the murder case due to the holidays.

Sinqobile allegedly killed Mabutho on December 19 in cold blood and fled their homestead.

She allegedly looted household property, prompting family members to conclude that she could have had accomplices in  carrying out the vicious attack.

After killing her boyfriend, Sinqobile is said to have called Mabutho's other brother Khawulani who lives in Bulawayo informing him to go to Mabutho's homestead to check on him.

Khawulani instructed other family members to visit Mabutho, only for them to discover his decomposing body in the house.

Mabutho was buried last week at his rural home.