Husband kills wife, buries body
2008-01-04 20:44
Durban - Police in northern KwaZulu-Natal were on Friday digging up the grave of a 37-year-old- woman - who was beaten to death and buried by her husband, police said.
Police spokesperson Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said details of the crime - which took place at the Emahlabeni Reserve on New Years Eve - only surfaced on Thursday night after the 48-year-old man confessed his deeds to a priest.
"The husband told the priest that he had beaten his wife to death with a stick and then buried her body in an open field," Mdletshe said.
Police said according to information, the couple had been drinking liquor on that day.
"They got into an argument and the husband then beat her to death," he said.
The crime went unnoticed for the week and her family did not file a missing person's report.
At 19:00 on Thursday, the husband went to see a priest, claiming he felt guilty, and then revealed the details of his crime.
'Shot in the leg'
The priest contacted police and told them of the incident - the man was then arrested.
"He was taken by police to the field last night and asked to point out the grave ... after he did, he just ran off," said Mdletshe.
"Police chased him and warned him to stop several times but he carried on running ... police then opened fire and he was shot in the leg," said Mdletshe.
The man was taken to hospital under police guard.
Police said it was unclear what the couple had been arguing about or whether they had any children.
"Police are presently at the scene and the woman's grave is being dug up .. .we will release more details shortly," said Mdletshe.
The man is expected to appear in court soon facing a charge of murder.
- SAPA