The cruel murder of a Limpopo pensioner on pension day has sparked fear in the community of Maphophe in Malamulele outside the Kruger National Park that criminals are targeting pensioners.

Mr Risimti Wilson Shivambu (71) was found bludgeoned to death outside the village last Friday (17th).

The village headman, Patrick Maphophe, said Shivambu went to look for cattle after coming from a pension pay point with other pensioners. “When we realised that he had already been gone for a considerable time, we organised a search party to look for him, but it yielded no positive results,” said Maphophe.

On Friday, his body was discovered in the bush and an iron rod was found next to the body. “It appeared that someone had assaulted him with the iron rod. The suspect is still at large,” said Maphophe. “On pension day last month, another pensioner was accosted and robbed of R200,” he said. “My neighbour was also assaulted between Maviligwe and Maphophe village a month ago."

He said he that about two weeks ago, a man identified as Samson Mtileni was found dead in his house. He had bled excessively after a suspected assault.

According to the headman, the increase in  violent crimes had been on the agenda at a community meeting last weekend. “It will also be on the agenda for another community meeting in a fortnight,” he added.

He described the elderly Mr Shivambu as a peaceful man, who minded his cattle. “He was a teetotaller and never picked up quarrels with people,” he said.

The provincial spokesperson of the SAPS, Brig Hangman Mulaudzi said the police had opened a murder docket and investigations were continuing.