Durban – The case of the Mariannhill police officer who appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court today (Mon) for the alleged kidnapping and murder of Sihle Mthare has been adjourned to next week.
The officer was remanded in custody for a formal bail hearing that will be heard on Monday, September 19.
Mthare, 27, of KwaSanti, was allegedly taken from his uncle’s home in Dassenhoek, Mariannhill by a man who identified himself as the police on August 21.
After his family reported him missing, when they could not find him at Mariannhill police station or any other stations, the case was taken over by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
Ipid said in a statement on Sunday that the investigation led to the discovery of the deceased’s body which was hidden under the storm water pipe near Camperdown last week.
It said the police officer, a sergeant from the Mariannhill police station, was arrested for kidnapping and murder.
Mthare’s family said the breakthrough in the case came after a man who was arrested on the same day as Mthare contacted them.
The man said he had recognised Mthare’s picture on the missing person’s post on Facebook and told them about the officer who had brought him to the station.
Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the accused officer would remain in custody until his next court appearance.