POLICE have launched a murder investigation.
This after the decomposing body of a woman was discovered hidden under a bed in a shack in Kraaifontein, Cape Town.
The gruesome discovery was made on Saturday afternoon, 4 October, in the Julius Malema informal settlement near Bloekombos High School.
Shocked residents said the smell of decay led them to investigate.
They allegedly found the woman's body wrapped and concealed under furniture inside the shack.
According to residents, the man who lived in the shack had not been seen for two weeks. They claimed he used to bring different girlfriends to his home after his wife left for the Eastern Cape several months ago.
"He would bring women mostly at night, so we didn't really know them," a resident claimed.
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The shocking discovery came to light after the owner of the shack decided to use it. He had not seen the tenant for a long time.
One neighbour recalled that shortly before disappearing, the man appeared to be dismantling parts of his shack.
"The last time I saw him, he was taking off some zinc sheets from the roof and covering the top with black plastic. I thought he was fixing leaks. I didn't know he was leaving for good," claimed the resident.
Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed that officers responded to the scene after receiving a complaint about a possible murder.
"Kraaifontein police registered a murder case following the discovery of the body of an unidentified female on Saturday, 4 October, in a shack in Covid Informal Settlement, Julius Malema Street, Bloekombos, Kraaifontein," said Van Wyk.
He said the woman's body was found inside the shack buried under the bed and that motive for the killing is still unknown.
He said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and police are working to confirm the woman's identity. The suspect, believed to be the shack's tenant, has not been located.
"Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app anonymously."
