The woman's body was found alongside the N6 near Kwetyana village, close to KuGompo.
Image: File
A 30-year-old woman, who was reported missing over the weekend, was allegedly strangled before old tyres were placed around her corpse and she was set alight.
Her body was found on Monday alongside the N6 near Kwetyana village, close to KuGompo.
On Sunday, the police received a missing person's report concerning a 30-year-old woman. It was reported that she had last been seen leaving Malcomess Park in Southernwood with a colleague.
"Investigators conducted interviews to trace the last movements of the deceased. Further inquiries led to the recovery of her body alongside the N6 near Kwetyana village," said the SAPS in a statement.
"It is alleged that the victim was strangled inside a vehicle. Following the murder, three suspects searched for a location just off the N6 to dispose of the body. At the scene, they reportedly placed old tyres on the victim’s corpse and set it alight. The victim’s personal belongings were discarded; one cellphone was later found near a river close to the body."
Three suspects, two aged 30 and one aged 40, were formally charged with kidnapping and murder.
"During the investigation, a fourth suspect was identified as the alleged mastermind who paid the others to commit the murder. The 53-year-old man later handed himself in at the East London police station."
He allegedly confessed to paying the three suspects between R6,000 and R11,000 before the murder and R5,000 afterwards.
The man has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. All four suspects appeared in court on Wednesday. The case was adjourned for a formal bail application.