A 21-year-old man has been arrested after handing himself over to police in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered in Joza, Makhanda, late last year.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, police arrested the suspect on Friday, January 9, 2026, after he reported himself at Joza SAPS.
The arrest follows the killing of Linomtha Skeyi, 16, whose body was found “in the open field behind the Department of Social Development premises at Joza in Makhanda on Christmas Day, 25 December 2025.”
Police said Skeyi was reported missing on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025.
A search and rescue operation was subsequently launched, during which her body was discovered the following day.
At this stage, investigators have not established a motive.
“The motive behind the murder is not clear at the moment but forms part of the ongoing investigation,” said Mawisa
The suspect is expected to appear before the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Mawisa confirmed that investigations are continuing as police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
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