Youths arrested for Alexandria murder

CANDICE BRADFIELD

FOUR suspects arrested for the brutal murder of a young woman which made headlines in local and national media appeared in the Alexandria Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday to apply for legal representation.

They have been charged with theft, abduction, rape, murder and violation of a body. The suspects have been remanded in custody.

According to police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender, about 600 protestors marched outside the court.

Police in Alexandria were notified about a house in Kwanonqubela which was on fire at about 2am on Sunday April 29. On arrival they doused it with water. Inside they found a woman who was burnt beyond recognition.

Four males between the ages of 16 and 18 were apprehended nearby. The girl was apparently abducted in the street earlier that night and taken to a vacant house where she was possibly raped, beaten with an object and thereafter set alight.

It was later discovered that the 19-year-old victim was from Motherwell in Port Elizabeth but had been staying with family in Alexandria.

The police found a cellphone belonging to the victim and a hammer possibly used as a weapon in the possession of the suspects.

"This kind of conduct is unbelievable, especially in Alexandria,” said provincial police spokesman Captain Ernest Sigobe.

The forensics unit from Port Elizabeth attended the scene to assist with the investigation which is still underway.