The search for a missing man who had warned his relatives that he was going to die ended in grim discovery when his decomposed body was found in a Nhlangano forest.
Innocent Dlamini (32) of Magubheleni, who went missing after allegedly stabbing his lover, was found dead, more than 10 days later.
He was reportedly found by a herdsman in the forest last Thursday. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition. Sources close to the matter said remains of Masta900, yoghurt and chocolate were found near the body.
Dlamini, who worked as a kombi marshal in Nhlangano, was reported missing on September 14 after he allegedly sent text messages to some of his relatives informing them that he had decided to take his own life in a forest around Nhlangano.
Sources said the messages were sent on the same night that Dlamini allegedly stabbed his lover, who had been visiting him at his rented flat at Sivivaneni, a township in Nhlangano. According to the sources, the couple had an argument, although the cause of the dispute could not immediately be established. During the altercation, Dlamini allegedly damaged his lover’s cellphone before stabbing her several times. “I suspect he assumed that he had killed the woman, so he resolved to take his own life,” said a source close to the matter. After allegedly leaving the woman bleeding inside the flat, Dlamini reportedly left the premises. Other tenants, who had heard disturbing noises coming from the flat, are said to have rushed to the room and found the injured woman. She was subsequently rushed to hospital, where she was admitted.
Meanwhile, Dlamini reportedly sent messages to some of his relatives stating that ‘kumehlulile’ (he could no longer cope) and that he intended to commit suicide in a forest around Nhlangano.
While some relatives reportedly did not initially take the messages seriously, others are said to have rushed to the Nhlangano Police Station to alert the police about their concerns that Dlamini could harm himself.
Their concerns reportedly deepened after he sent another message to his uncle, informing him that he was giving him all the property in his flat.
Police, together with members of Dlamini’s family, subsequently launched a search for him. The search continued for several days without success until his decomposed body was eventually discovered in the forest. The forest where Dlamini’s body was found is reportedly some distance from the flat where he allegedly stabbed his lover. The police later issued a missing-person notice, appealing to members of the public to assist in locating Dlamini. The police stated that he had last been seen on September 14. Dlamini’s uncle, Alpheous, confirmed that his nephew had gone missing following an incident in which he allegedly stabbed and wounded his lover. The uncle said the couple had reportedly been experiencing frequent conflicts before the stabbing incident. “Maybe he disappeared because he feared being reported to the police again after they had been engaged by law enforcers,” he said. However, Alpheous said he suspected that his nephew could have been dealing with other issues beyond the relationship problems. “I do not believe that he would take his life for getting into a fight with his lover,” he said.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane confirmed the death of the 32-year-old man, who had been reported missing. She also confirmed that when he disappeared, he had been reported to have stabbed his lover. “An assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case had been opened. The woman has since been discharged from hospital,” said Zwane.
