By REGINALD KANYANE
6 August 2026 – The dedicated investigative work of Ikageng Detectives, supported by the Tactical Response Team (TRT), led to the successful resolution of a kidnapping and murder case, resulting in the arrest of two suspects connected to the kidnapping, murder and concealment of the body of a woman (31) from Greenfields, Ikageng Township in Potchefstroom. The victim was reported missing by a family member on 27 February 2024, after it was alleged that her former boyfriend, Nelson Matusse, had taken her from her home.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said an inquiry was subsequently registered. Morake further said the victim’s sister received text messages and voicenotes from the suspect demanding a ransom.
“The investigating officer, Detective Constable Lipuo Ngesman, with intensive investigation, linked the suspect to the crime and crime scene in Lenasia. On 16 March 2024, under the authority of former Major General Molefe, who was the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Crime Detection, a multidisciplinary team comprising Ikageng detectives and TRT members travelled to Lenasia to trace the suspect.
“The team successfully traced and arrested the suspect at another location. During questioning, the suspect confessed to murdering the victim on the same day he abducted her,” she said.
Morake said he further pointed out the location in Ikageng, where he had disposed of her body. She added that while returning to Ikageng, he admitted that he had paid a second suspect to burn the victim’s body approximately one week after the murder in an attempt to conceal the crime.
“The suspect subsequently led police to an open field between Extension 7 and Promosa, where the burnt remains of the deceased were recovered. The first accused, Nelson Matusse (37), was charged with murder, kidnapping, and violation of a corpse.
“The second accused, George Matusse (35), was charged with defeating the ends of justice and violation of a corpse. During the investigation, both accused were also linked to and charged in separate cases of housebreaking and theft,” said Morake.
She said on On 29 July 2026, the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court sentenced Matusse to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping, 10 years imprisonment for violation of a corpse and 11 years imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
“The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently with the life sentence. Matusse remains in custody and is expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 28 September 2026, on charges of defeating the ends of justice, violation of a corpse, and four counts of housebreaking and theft,” concluded Morake.
The Guardian 