The couple, who had been married for only two months, were reported missing last Sunday when relatives grew alarmed after repeated attempts to contact them failed.
Police officers forced entry into a locked outside room at the couple’s Secunda residence. Inside, they found Rene Muller’s remains concealed inside a bag. She had suffered multiple stab wounds.
A knife was recovered from the scene and taken into evidence.
Authorities believe Werner Muller fled South Africa in a white Toyota Hilux shortly after the killing. Investigators tracked him across the border into Mozambique, where local law enforcement took him into custody.
He has since been extradited back to South Africa to face formal murder charges. Police records indicate Muller has no previous criminal convictions.
The accused appeared before a magistrate this week. Prosecutors have postponed the matter until next week to allow for a possible bail application. Investigators are still working to establish a clear motive for the killing.
The state is expected to present its case once forensic analysis of the recovered weapon and scene evidence has been completed.