“Arrest my father for the murder”

"I have nothing to do with this serial killer. Release him and arrest my father, because he is the one who killed my mother and removed her body parts for muti-purposes. I want my mother’s body parts now!" yelled Tshifhiwa Thinandavha (18), the eldest son of ritual murder victim Shonisani Thinandavha (38) of Mulodi village, north of Thohoyandou.

The much-publicized ritual murder case took a dramatic turn when an alleged serial killer, Mukosi Mulaudzi (42), appeared in the Mutale Magistrate’s court on Monday.

Reckson Ndivhudzannyi Thinandavha (42), who was formally arrested and spent eight months in prison, was acquitted on March 16, after DNA test results could not link him to the murder.

This comes after Reckson’s wife, Shonisani Thinandavha, was found dead at Mulodi Mountain in July last year. Her upper lip, right palm hand, left ear and the front part of her breast were sliced off. She was naked from the waist down and a rope was tied around her neck. The deceased left behind seven children, including a three-month-old baby, at the time of her death.

The alleged serial killer was linked with the ritual murder case, after DNA test results successfully linked him with the murder of Shonisani Thinandavha.

Mulaudzi is regarded as a highly dangerous criminal who escaped from the Baviaanspoort Prison, near Pretoria, 10 years ago while serving two life sentences for a double murder. He has been on the run from the police since 1996. From 1996 to date, he is believed to have been involved in more than 15 murder cases in the Vhembe District, including those of the four Sivhugwane children at Tshivhilidulu village. He also has to answer to several charges ranging from rape, armed robbery and attempted murder.

Mulaudzi appeared in a packed court room under heavy guard by police and prison officials and his hands and legs were chained. Magistrate TM Mathivha explained to Mulaudzi his legal rights. "I have my own lawyer from the Legal Aid Board in Thohoyandou, but I do not know his name," said Mulaudzi in a deep, but groaning, voice.

The magistrate then postponed the case to June 11 while waiting for the decision of the Director of Public Prosecution. Mulaudzi was not given bail and he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance. A huge crowd of demonstrators bayed for Mulaudzi’s blood while the court proceedings were taking place. Security officials and police had to battle with demonstrators who wanted to gain entrance into the court forcefully, to have a glance at the suspect.

Shortly after the court proceedings, the fisrt-born son of the ritual murder victim, Tshifhiwa Thinandavha, said the family wanted the case to be reviewed, because he believed that his father had been acquitted unnecessarily. "My father must be arrested again because we believe that he is the one who killed our mother. See, we were not even allowed to enter the court by the police, although we are the next-of-kin to the deceased. The court is prosecuting the wrong man, because it is only my father who knows everything about my mother’s death."

News - Date: 06 April 2007

Wilson Dzebu

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