TSHILAMBA – Residents of Mukondeni (Thengwe) and nearby villages held a peaceful march last Friday and presented a memorandum to the Mutale SAPS in connection with suspected ritual murders that happened in the area last year.

The march was, amongst others, against the death of a 56-year-old lady, Mrs Mudangawe Mafunise, who was allegedly ritually murdered in the Mutale River by a group of men. The deceased's body was discovered after three days.

The Mutale SAPS arrested six suspects who appeared at the Mutale Magistrate's Court several times. In addition, the case was later taken to the Thohoyandou High Court. They were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. The deceased's husband, who was also amongst the ritual killers passed away, while serving his sentence in the Sinthumule/Kutama prison.

In their memorandum the citizens demanded that the remaining sixteen suspects also be arrested. Added in the memorandum was an appeal that all body parts that were missing be returned, so that they can be buried.

The community further demanded that the Scorpions be mandated to investigate all ritual murders in the area. They also stated that the investigating officer, Capt. Mphaphuli, must return to the area, as he is now working at the Thohoyandou SAPS.

The chairperson of the Sanco Northern Region, Mr James Delekisa, appealed to members of the SAPS to arrest the remaining suspects and not to delay the process.