MISSING woman’s body fond under the bed.

The body of Ithabeleng Motleleng, who was better known as Material, was found wrapped in a carpet and hidden under her boyfriend’s bed days after she was reported missing.

Material was last seen when she went out partying with friends.

Her family said she went to her boyfriend’s shack after the night out but never returned home.

The couple allegedly dated for three months.

Speaking to Daily Sun, Material’s cousin Dimpho Lipholo said the family initially assumed she was out as it wasn’t unusual for her to stay away overnight.

“She would sometimes not come back, we were used to that,” said Dimpho.

However, the family became worried when days passed without a word from Material.

“After boozing with friends, Material went to her boyfriend’s place. When she got there, her boyfriend had another girl in the shack, and they fought. She never came back home on Monday. We went to the boyfriend’s place, and he said he hadn’t seen her. He claimed they fought, and he kicked her out,” said Dimpho.

Concerned for her safety, the family opened a missing person’s case on Thursday, 29 May.

When they confronted the boyfriend again, he denied any involvement.

“He said he hadn’t done anything to her, that it was only a verbal fight and it didn’t get physical,” she said.

On Friday, 30 May, police intensified their search for the missing woman.

The boyfriend was questioned once more and he allegedly maintained he had no idea where she was.

“As the cops were searching the shack, I started hearing people shout my name. When I got there, the suspect was apologising. He kept saying he’s sorry. My sister was in the shack. They found her body wrapped in a carpet, naked, bruised and bleeding in one eye. Her nails and hair had been cut. It looked like he tried to clean her body, the only visible blood was in her eye, which made us suspect he assaulted her,” said Dimpho.

The family said the suspect was allegedly abusive, often assaulting Material with a golf stick during arguments.

Gauteng police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the tragic incident.

“It is reported that the woman was reported missing by her family and an investigation to locate her was immediately conducted. On Friday, 30 May, police questioned her boyfriend and, upon searching his shack at Protea South, Soweto, made the gruesome discovery of the victim’s body wrapped in a carpet, hidden under the bed,” said Nevhuhulwi.

She said police were attacked by an angry mob while making the arrest.

“A group of community members attacked members and backup was called. The mob was dispersed, and two police members were injured, and two police vehicles were damaged as the community pelted it with stones,” she said.

The suspect was expected to appear in the Protea Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 June. However, the matter was postponed to Tuesday, 3 June, for the docket to be placed in court.