Ritual killing: Ex-guard held

2007-03-19 21:14

Kimberley - A former diamond-mine security guard appeared in Kimberley magistrate's court in connection with a ritual murder after the mine's 2006 year-end party, police said on Monday.

Captain Tony Modise said Jacobus Swanepoel, 33, of Witpoort, Wolmaransstad, was arrested at the weekend after an investigating team made a breakthrough in the case.

"The suspect appeared in court on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice," said Modise.

The matter was postponed April 3 for a bail application. Swanepoel remained in custody.

Modise said the arrest follows the discovery of the body of Oratile John Sedumoeng, 19, of Wolmaransstad with his private parts missing and an open wound to his neck.

Ritual murder victim

The murder apparently happened on December 9 2006, a day after the year-end party at Tsitsikamma diamond mine near Plooysburg.

Modise said preliminary investigations were conducted, and police suspected that Sedumoeng was the victim of a ritual murder.

After all leads were followed up - including interviews and forensic tests - police made an arrest at the weekend.

Modise said the murder weapon, a bloodstained knife, was discovered.

Modise said the victim's private parts were thrown into a river and could not be found by police divers.

- SAPA