Ceres murder suspect caught with dismembered human remains

A man has appeared in the Ceres Magistrate's Court on a charge of murder and violation of a corpse by cutting off his arms and private parts and allegedly paraded around town with some of  the human remains.

Eric Ntabazalila, Regional Communications for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said the accused, identified as Zwelinjani Mbola, 22, made an appearance in court on Tuesday on the charges he is facing.

The state is set to prove that Mbola murdered Peter Joubert and then allegedly proceeded to mutilate his body, by dismembering it with a sharp object.

He is alleged to have cut off Joubert's arms and private part and is being referred for a mental assessment.

"Zwelinjani Mbola, 22, appeared at the Ceres Magistrate's Court this morning charged with murder and violation of a corpse," Ntabazalila explained.

"The State alleges that on December 7, the accused murdered Peter Joubert by cutting and dismembering his body with a sharp object.

"The State alleges that the accused physically violated the deceased's body by cutting off his arms and private parts. His case has been postponed until December 17 2025 for bail information and a possible referral to a district surgeon for mental assessment."

Witzenberg Municipality has since condemned the brutal murder of their resident.

"Witzenberg Municipality is deeply saddened and shocked by this brutal crime against one of their local residents.

The municipality said the man's body was found under a bridge and that the suspect was apprehended by Municipal Law Enforcement officers and subsequently arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS)

"Municipal Law Enforcement officers were alerted to a man walking in town with what appeared to be human remains in his possession," the municipality said.

"Officers immediately responded and notified the South African Police Services (SAPS)."SAPS attended the scene, took the suspect into custody, and launched a full investigation.

"The remainder of the victim's body was later recovered at a second location identified by the alleged perpetrator

"This senseless and horrific act has left our community reeling." We are absolutely appalled by this level of violence." Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim's family during this devastating time."