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Durban - Three men linked to the brutal rape and murder of a Roman Catholic nun at a convent in Ixopo last week were arrested in a swoop by police late on Monday night.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said a task team that was established to probe the slaying of Getrud Tiefebacher, 86, acted on information they received, and raided several locations in the Shayamoya informal settlement.
“The arrested suspects aged between 25 and 35 are due to appear in the Ixopo Magistrate’s Court tomorrow [Wednesday] facing murder, house robbery and rape charges.
“During their arrest, they were found in possession of some of the stolen property which was positively identified as property belonging to the victim,” he said.
Tiefebacher, a sister at Sacred Heart Convent, was found dead in her room.
It is believed that she was overpowered by the three who bound her with a typewriter cord and suffocated her with a towel.
She was still clutching her rosary when her body was discovered.
Foreign currency and other valuables were stolen, Zwane said.
The KwaZulu-Natal commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, commended the task team for their hard work that led to the arrest of the suspects.
“We believe that some of the missing goods will be recovered as the members are still investigating the matter.
“I also wish to thank members of the community who responded to my call and provided information to the police which aided in the arrest of the suspects. We hope that justice will be served and these thugs are imprisoned for a long time,” she said.
