A 52-year-old Mpumalanga man, already under investigation for a previous murder, has been arrested in connection with the death of his 17-year-old stepdaughter. The teenager was found dead inside a locked shack in Kinross on May 28 after being reported missing since May 23.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the victim’s body was discovered in the bedroom with visible head injuries, including a deep wound and a crushed forehead. A bloodstained pipe wrench, believed to be the murder weapon, was found next to the bed. It is suspected that the girl was raped before being killed.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the victim had recently argued with her stepfather over his intention to sell the shack that once belonged to her late mother. The teenager reportedly objected, expressing concern for her younger siblings who would need a place to stay in the future.

The suspect had previously been arrested for the brutal murder of his 34-year-old girlfriend in Kinross. He is now a suspect in both murder cases.

The community has been left in shock by the tragic events. Authorities urge anyone with information related to these cases to contact the police. Support services are available for those affected by gender-based violence.