Man arrested in connection with missing Uyinene Mrwetyana to appear in court on Monday

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the case of missing University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana, 19.

The arrest was announced by the Western Cape police on Saturday.

In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said: “In the early hours of Friday morning, the team supported by Western Cape Flying Squad members arrested a 42-year-old suspect in Claremont. An extensive investigation is currently underway to determine the whereabouts of the missing person. All avenues are being looked into, including the place where she was last seen.”

Potela said the police were confident that the interviewing of the 42-year-old will eventually lead to the finalisation of the investigation thereby bringing an end to days of uncertainty for her family, friends and all others concerned.

She said DNA tests and an autopsy are expected to be performed soon on an unidentified body that was discovered in Lingelethu West, Khayelitsha on Monday, August 26.

One of three private investigators working with the police in the case Noel Pratten, has earlier dismissed reports on social media claiming the body was Uyinene’s.

Potela said the suspect is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“We therefore urge everyone to allow space for the investigation to unfold,” said Potelwa.

Uyinene, a first year film and media studies student from Beacon Bay, was last seen leaving her off-campus Roscomm House student residence on Saturday at around 2pm.

UCT said she was later spotted at or near a salon in Mowbray at 5pm. Pratten said the former Hudson and Kingswood pupil was also spotted at Claireinch Post Office where she went in a taxi to pick up a parcel.

The university announced on Thursday that they hired two private investigators to assist in the case.

This came after UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng met with Uyinene’s parents on Wednesday in Cape Town.

Uyinene’s mother Noma Mrwetyana is the director of student affaires department at Rhodes University. Her father Mabhele Philip Mrwetyana co-owns an engineering firm in East London.

The news of her disappearance had gripped the country and sparked nationwide prayer ceremonies for the missing girl’s safe return.