Woman's body found on field

2008-01-21 23:44

Durban - A half-naked woman whose hands were bound behind her back was found dead on a soccer field in Pietermaritzburg on Monday morning, police said.

Inspector Joey Jeevan said a passer-by alerted the police to the body lying on the field in Pietermaritzburg's Scottsville suburb near the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Jeevan said when police arrived at the scene the woman was clad only in her white underwear and a pink T-shirt. Her hands had been tied behind her back with wire.

The woman had bruise marks around her neck and on her knees.

Jeevan said: "Police believe that the deceased may have been murdered elsewhere and thereafter her body was dumped at the scene.

"It is also believed that she may have been strangled to death and there is a possibility that she may have also been raped, however, a post-mortem will be held to determine the exact cause of death."

Police had not been able to identify the woman, who is believed to be in her early 20s.

The woman was described as being 1.65m tall and dark in complexion with short braided black hair.

- SAPA