More investigations into “Hand” case

More investigation still needs to be done in Makhado (Louis Trichardt)’s widely controversial “Hand” case.

The 36-year-old Rumbidzai Manyere’s remains have still not been released to her family since her brutal murder in April this year. This is because the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) director of public prosecutions has ordered the police to go back to Zimbabwe for further investigations. Manyere hails from Zimbabwe and had, according to her family, only been living in South Africa for three months at the time of her death.

The 38-year-old Freddy Azwitamisi Tshikhudo, who has been accused of her murder, was arrested on 5 April at Elti Café in Eltivillas, when he allegedly tried to rob the business by using a severed human arm. The following day, he led the Makhado police to the place where the murdered Manyere’s body was found. Manyere’s right arm, both eyes and her private parts had been removed. Her body itself was in an advanced state of decomposition.

During his previous court appearance in August, several pending cases against Tshikhudo were centralized to the Makhado Magistrate’s Court. This means that he will eventually stand trial on two counts of rape and single counts of murder, housebreaking and robbery.

Tshikhudo appeared in court again last Friday. His case was postponed until 17 January of next year to afford the police time to finish the list of new instructions that the NPA gave them.

Tshikhudo will remain in custody until then, since he was denied bail.

News - Date: 18 October 2013

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

Email: [email protected]