41-year-old Sthembiso Lamula who was arrested for allegedly killing a woman and her daughter, and stuffing their bodies into a suitcase in South Africa is set to appear in court again on Friday, April 16th.

Lamula had first appeared in Pinetown magistrate’s court on April 9, 2021, where he faced two counts of murder and kidnapping.

He has since been remanded in police custody.

SAPS spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele, said on October 6 last year the police in KwaDabeka, west of Durban, were alerted to a harrowing scene near the Umgeni River.

“On arrival the police found the bodies of two female victims packed in a big suitcase and dumped. The bodies were later identified as 36-year-old mother Simangele Simamane and her daughter, Sbongakonke Mthembu, 13. The victims had multiple injuries on their bodies and their necks were tied with a rope,” said Mbele.

According to SAPS spokesperson, Simamane had open wounds on the back of her head, multiple injuries on the face, bruises on her neck and burn wounds on the left leg and body.

Mbele added that “Her daughter had bruises on the neck and a stab wound on the left hip. It is alleged that the victims were kidnapped before they were killed.

Almost six months later, on April 7, police officers were told that the suspect in the case, Lamula, was “back from hiding and was roaming the streets of KwaMashu”.

“They proceeded to his place of residence in KwaMashu and he was arrested. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are imminent” she said.