Horror in Bellville South as woman arrested after sister’s remains found in containers

A quiet street in Bellville South has been shaken to its core after a gruesome discovery inside a modest home turned into a crime scene that residents say they will never forget.

What began as a neighbour’s uneasy feeling has now unfolded into one of the most disturbing cases the community has seen in years.

When something didn’t feel right

For days, something felt off about the home on David Street.

Neighbours noticed small but telling changes curtains that were usually neat and tidy suddenly hanging unevenly, a silence where there was usually routine. It was enough to spark concern about 79-year-old Constance Scholtz, who lived alone and was known in the area.

When residents called out to check on her, they were reassured by her sister, Aletta Rose, who claimed everything was fine and that Scholtz was simply out of town.

But the explanation didn’t sit well with everyone.

A discovery no family should make

Concern escalated when a neighbour contacted Scholtz’s son, Morne van der Merwe, urging him to check in on his mother.

His first visit raised no immediate alarm he was told the same story: she wasn’t home. But when fresh concerns surfaced, including what appeared to be blood on Rose’s clothing, he returned.

This time, what he found inside the flat was beyond comprehension.

According to reports, parts of his mother’s body had been dismembered, with evidence of blood and attempts to clean the scene. Police were called immediately.

A further search revealed more remains including Scholtz’s head stored in containers on a kitchen shelf.

Arrest and investigation

Western Cape police spokesperson F.C. van Wyk confirmed that a murder case has been opened following the discovery on 19 March 2026.

Rose, 63, was arrested and has since appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court. Authorities say the motive remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing.

There are also reports suggesting that Rose may have a previous conviction linked to the killing of a relative a detail that has only deepened public shock.

A community reeling

In a country already grappling with high levels of violent crime, cases like this hit differently especially when they unfold within families.

The Bellville South Community Policing Forum has urged residents to remain calm while police carry out their work, but emotions are understandably raw.

On local WhatsApp groups and social media pages, disbelief has been the dominant reaction:

• “This is something you see in movies, not in our neighbourhood.”
• “How did no one know?”
• “We need more awareness around mental health and family violence.”

Some residents have also pointed to a broader issue how crimes within homes often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

The bigger picture: violence behind closed doors

While the details of this case are extreme, experts say it reflects a deeper and more uncomfortable reality: violence within families is often hidden, complex, and difficult to detect.

South Africa’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence and crimes against the elderly continues to raise urgent questions about early warning signs, community vigilance, and support systems.

In this case, it was neighbours paying attention noticing curtains, asking questions that ultimately led to the truth coming out.

What happens next

As the investigation continues, forensic teams are expected to piece together what happened inside the home and establish a clear timeline.

For now, a family is grieving, a community is shaken, and many questions remain unanswered.

But one thing is certain: what unfolded behind those closed doors has left a lasting scar on Bellville South, and a chilling reminder of how quickly the familiar can turn into something unthinkable.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com