Zimbabwean woman 'cut into 6 pieces' in South Africa - report

A Zimbabwean woman who was recently found beheaded in Johannesburg was "cut into six pieces," a relative has told a newspaper in her country.

Gauteng police have said that they do not think that Naume Garusa, 41, was a victim of xenophobic violence.

Garusa's body was found in Killarney on April 14. She was buried in her home near Chiredzi in southern Zimbabwe this week, the Herald reported at the weekend.

Her sister, Nyembezi Garusa said: "I am still shocked. I was the first to see my sister's remains at the mortuary. Her body was cut into six pieces. I think the assailants used a machete to cut off the head, both arms and limbs."

The victim's brother Richard Garusa told the Herald he believed it was a premeditated attack.

Mother-of-one Garusa disappeared after she was summoned by a caller who has not yet been identified to the gate of the house she worked at in Houghton last week.

The MP for Chiredzi, Callisto Gwanetsa still believed the murder was an act of xenophobia, according to the Herald.

"It is painful that we continue to lose many lives owing to xenophobia," Gwanetsa said.

Police in South Africa have so far confirmed the death of one Zimbabwean in the xenophobic attacks, although anecdotal evidence from returnees suggests the figure may be higher.