MAKONDE – The parents of Maanda Sendedza (25), a promising soccer star who was murdered for muti last month, say they will not rest until the killers of their son are brought to book in a court of law. Maanda was buried during an emotional, but well-attended, funeral service at Makonde village, north of Thohoyandou, last weekend.

A 27-year-old man was detained for questioning and later released, in connection with the incident.

In an exclusive interview with Mirror, Richard and Joyce Sendedza say their grief is getting worse because the private parts of their dead son, which were removed during the brutal murder, have not yet been found.

“We cannot understand why they murdered an innocent boy in such a brutal murder. The killers must be found and charged for their evil deeds. We cannot just wait and fold our arms because we are feeling the pain of the tragic loss of our beloved son…”

Richard remembers what the body of his late son looked like at the scene of the horrific murder. “He had gaping wounds to his head and his whole body was covered with blood. He had neither shoes nor trousers and his body was lying motionless in the bush. I don’t know why they removed his private parts, but this is the most brutal murder I have ever seen in my life.”

The dead man’s mother, Joyce, says she is still deeply and emotionally affected by the senseless murder of her son. “This thing has affected our lives at home and it is now very difficult to live without Maanda. Why did they take the life our beloved son away when we loved him so much? I pray every day that the killers of our child should be found and prosecuted. Maanda died a painful and senseless death and we feel that something must be done to prevent more ritual murders in the village…”

Insp Nkanukeni Raedani of the Thohoyandou SAPS said the police were still investigating a case of murder. He urged community members not to take the law into their own hands but to assist the police with evidence in the case. “We are about to make a breakthrough in the case and we urge the community to be patient. We are working around the clock to gather all evidence for prosecution. No stone will be left unturned and the law will obviously take its course…”

* Meanwhile, hundred of villagers gathered at the headman’s palace to register their anger about Maanda’s ritual murder. A drama unfolded when members of the SAPS were expelled from the royal palace because villagers accused them of dragging their feet in the case. Villagers said they were tired of the ritual murders in the village and said they would not rest until Maanda’s killers were arrested and charged.