The family of a student who was found brutally murdered at her home in Phadzima at Nzhelele a fortnight ago has thanked the police for arresting the suspected killer .

Siloam police have confirmed that they had arrested Lufuno Managa (27) in connection with the murder. Managa was the boyfriend of Lufuno Mavhunga. They were allegedly together on the night of her death at her home. Managa allegedly murdered her after she apparently answered her phone in the middle of the night. Mavhunga was staying alone and studying at Vhembe FET College's Makwarela Campus.

Her mother, Petunia Mavhunga, is relieved that a suspect has been arrested. "I know that my daughter won't come back, but justice must take its course," she said.

According to a police spokesperson, the suspect had confessed to committing the crime. He appeared in court last Tuesday (28 August). The case was postponed to October 25 and the suspect remains behind bars.

Members of the Phadzima community welcomed the police's efforts to trace and arrest the suspect successfully. They also said that they would support the family of Mavhunga and go to court whenever the suspect appeared before the magistrate.

The village’s headman, Vho-Radzilani Zwokundavhalai, said that his people’s confidence in the police had been restored. “We now trust the police and we are sure the suspect will be fairly charged for the crime,” he said.