SA man whose girlfriend was killed in a 'hijacking' arrested for her brutal murder after suspects implicated him

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of his girlfriend who was found with her throat slit after an alleged botched hijacking in the Free State, South Africa.

The man was arrested on Thursday, August 19, a few days after the arrest of the two men who allegedly murdered his 24-year-old girlfriend, Nnini Pule.

The suspects allegedly implicated the man who was then arrested and also charged with Pule’s murder as well as perjury.

Colonel Thandi Mbambo of the Free State police said on May 13 2021, the man arrived at the Theunissen Police Station to report a hijacking incident.

Holding a 2-year-old baby boy, he told police that he was attacked by two men alongside the road about 4km from Winburg to Senekal where he was driving with his girlfriend and baby boy.

He claimed that he grabbed the child during the hijacking and fled but the attackers then drove off with his girlfriend. Police launched a manhunt for the car and the man’s girlfriend.

"Later, the body of 24-year-old Pule from Hennenman was found inside the boyfriend's vehicle with her throat slit. After thorough investigations by Detective Warrant Officer Dingtekane Mothibi of Winburg Detective Services, two suspects, Mojaki Phara 24 and Sebongile Soul 26 were arrested on August 14 in Theunissen.

Mbambo said the arrest of the first two suspects led police to the third suspect who is the boyfriend.

"Further investigations led to the arrest of the deceased’s boyfriend on August 19 at his parents home at Phomolong, Hennenman,” she said.

The man appeared at the Winburg Magistrate Court on Friday, August 20, facing charges of murder and perjury. He was joined by Phara and Soul in the dock.

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the arrest and appreciated the diligent work of the investigating officer in uncovering the truth “behind the senseless killing of a bright young woman.”