The missing private parts of the late Maanda Sendedza (25), a promising soccer star of Makonde Village, were recovered during the weekend.

Thohoyandou Police made a huge breakthrough when they arrested two traditional healers for being in possession of the missing body parts, clothes and cell phone of the deceased.

News of the gruesome discovery spread like wildfire and hundreds of concerned Makonde villagers gathered at the headman’s palace on Sunday afternoon to discuss the issue.

Maanda was brutally murdered for muti purposes on 23 October and his mutilated body was found in the bush at Shadani, north of Thohoyandou. Next to his body was his surviving lover, Nyelisani Sidimela, whose lips were removed. Both Maanda and Nyelisani had gaping wounds to their heads and their bodies were covered with blood.

Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of the Vhembe SAPS confirmed that police have recovered the private parts, the tongue of the deceased, his cell phone and the lips of the surviving victim.

“The suspects have been charged with ritual and attempted murder and we hope to make more arrests as our investigations are continuing. We will never leave any stone unturned and we will always update the community about new developments in the case, from time to time…” said Mushavhanamadi.

The suspects, Mukondeleli Thosha (54) of Tshidzini Village and Shumani Dzebu (31) of Muledzhi village, appeared in Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday. They were not given bail and their case was remanded to 23 November while they will be in custody.

According to the official police report, Shumani Dzebu was found in possession of the clothes and cell phone of the deceased on Thursday last week. He was immediately arrested and formally charged on Saturday. Police then proceeded to Tshidzini village where they recovered the missing private parts and tongue of the deceased in Mukondelili Thosha’s possession. They also recovered the lips of Nyelisani Sidemela, who is receiving treatment in Gauteng.

The father of the murdered muti victim, Richard Sendedza, told Mirror that he is relieved that the body parts of his late son were recovered at last. “We buried our beloved son without his private parts and tongue, but now that the secret is out, we hope the law will take its course. We will not rest until the killers of our son are prosecuted. They must rot in jail because what they did is inhuman and unacceptable,” said the angry Mr Sendedza.

Meanwhile, Headman Azwianewi Ravhura urged Makonde villagers to be patient and wait for the justice system to do its job. He also requested members of the community who have more evidence, to contact the police in order to assist in the investigations.

“We know people are angry about what happened. The police have already shown that they are working on the case and we need to give them a chance to conduct their further investigations…”