A missing 24-year-old South African woman was found dead by shepherds on a farm outside East London on Wednesday.

Sinesipho Lukhotsholo went missing on 2 October after she and her friend were involved in a confrontation with a group at a liquor store in the town of Berlin.

The latest incident of gender based violence (GBV) has angered the provincial Police Commissioner, who is hell-bent on bringing those responsible to justice.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said in a statement that Lukhotsholo’s body was discovered in the early stage of decomposition” by the cattle herders.

“Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has strongly condemned the senseless murder a 24-year-old woman whose body was stumbled upon by the shepherds who were looking for cattle on a farm at Berlin, outside East London on 14 October 2020,” he said.

He said that the woman had become separated from her friend after a fight that began in a liquor store spilled onto the street. Shots were fired, leading to all involved to run in different directions.

“According to information at the time, the deceased travelled with her friend from Chalumna to visit their boyfriends in Berlin,” he said.

“On arrival at Berlin they visited the local liquor outlet where an argument broke out between two groups which led into a brawl and they ended being escorted out of the establishment.”

“As they were walking away, they met the group they had a fight with where shots were fired and they all ran in different directions and she was never seen [again].

Indications suggests that the woman was murdered elsewhere and dumped on the farm. No arrest have been made as yet and police are appealing to the public for information. A case of murder has been opened for investigation.

“We outright condemn the senseless murder in the strongest way and we will not allow callous criminals to target the most vulnerable in our society.” said Lieutenant General Ntshinga on Thursday.