Eastern Cape man arrested for double murder, assault and hijacking - IOL

Eastern Cape police have arrested a murder suspect who allegedly fled across several provinces to evade arrest after a man was killed over an alleged affair and a 53-year-old woman was kidnapped, murdered and robbed of her vehicle in June 2025.

Eastern Cape police have arrested a 42-year-old man accused of killing a man over allegations that he was having an affair with his wife, as well as kidnapping and murdering a woman whose vehicle he allegedly hijacked.

The 53-year-old woman's body was found next to a road leading to Murraysburg days after she was allegedly kidnapped.

The suspect was arrested by the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) on Monday and faces charges of double murder, assault and hijacking.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said a murder case was reported at Middelburg police station on June 8, 2025.

It is alleged that at about 10.48pm, the suspect killed a man whom he accused of having an affair with his 43-year-old wife.

“The suspect allegedly further kidnapped an adult female and hijacked her car and used the car to escape Middelburg towards Graaff-Reinet,” Mgolodela said.

A kidnapping and hijacking case was subsequently opened at Middelburg police station.

Mgolodela said the 53-year-old woman was allegedly killed after being kidnapped, and her body was discovered next to a road leading to Murraysburg days later.

A murder case was opened at Robert Sobukwe police station and the hijacked vehicle was recovered in Kariega on June 11.

The cases were later transferred to the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit for further investigation.

Mgolodela said the suspect had been at large since the incidents, prompting police to deploy resources to track him down.

“The suspect reportedly left and went to different provinces as he was evading the arrest,” she said.

On Monday, police received information that the suspect had been spotted at a tavern in KwaNobuhle.

The information was acted upon by the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit. 

When officers approached him, he allegedly attempted to flee but was apprehended.

The arrest involved members of the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit, Middelburg and Robert Sobukwe crime investigation teams, the Nxuba and Middelburg dog units, and the Kariega and Nxuba crime prevention units.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on murder charges.

Mgolodela said he would also appear in the Robert Sobukwe Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder and hijacking allegations.