Man accused of axing 85-year-old Dutywa woman to death expected to apply for bail

A 34-year-old Dutywa man, who is accused of hacking to death an 85-year-old woman, is again expected to appear before the Dutywa Magistrate's Court on Friday for a formal bail application.

The accused, Zibele Thetyana, was not asked to plead when he appeared before the court on Monday morning on a charge of murder.

He was remanded in police custody.

Thetyana was arrested by Dutywa police detectives last week.

"The suspect was traced and arrested on Friday, at about 21:00, at Candu Village, in Dutywa," said police spokesperson, Captain Jackson Manatha.

According to police information, a man, who was wearing a balaclava, now believed to be Thetyana, came to the home of the 85-year-old woman, who was identified as Silvia Thandiwe Dyasi.

"The suspect, who was armed with an axe allegedly hacked the 85-year-old woman. She died instantly," described Captain Manatha.

"The murder was committed on Thusrday at about 20:50 at Mabheleni Locality, Candu Village, Dutywa."

He said that the deceased was with her relative when she was murdered.

"The suspect run away after murdering the deceased."