Cops find headless body
2006-03-17 08:11
Johannesburg - An overnight police search led to the discovery early on Friday of what was believed to be the headless body of a Piet Retief man who disappeared earlier in the week.
Two men arrested after midnight pointed out the spot where the body lay, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Superintendent Abey Khoabane said.
"We found the body in a plantation about 35km from Piet Retief, but we are still searching for the head. It appears to have been cut off."
Balara Naidoo went missing on Monday after meeting someone interested in buying his car.
His red Volvo was found abandoned on Tuesday next to Volksrust magistrate's court. Bloodstains were detected in the boot and on the floor of the back seat.
The 40-year-old man left his home on Monday to meet an interested buyer at the Swaziland border.
At 17:30, the man's wife received a phone call from an anonymous caller demanding R30 000, a Nissan bakkie and the PIN codes to the man's bank cards in return for her husband's safe return.
Khoabane said on Friday: "We believe the body we found might be that of Mr Naidoo, but we are still investigating."
The two men arrested overnight in connection with the matter were 21 and 26 years old.
"They will hopefully help us to find the rest of the body," said Khoabane.
He said more arrests were expected.
"This investigation is far from over."
The two men are expected to appear in court next week.
- SAPA