Following the death of a young mother whose mutilated body was found in the mountains of Mulodi village, Thengwe in Mutale two weeks ago, leaders have come out strongly against the horrible killings.

The latest incident brings the total of unresolved cases of ritual murders in Vhembe alone to 50 since 1994.

Gen Gabriel Ramushwana, a former Venda leader, who was said to be instrumental in the curtailing of ritual killings in the early 1990’s, when the former homeland was boiling because of similar killings before his leadership, said: “All the police officers at Mutale must be transferred if these cases are to be solved.” Ramushwana said this, following the allegations that some of the police at the Mutale police station are involved in the ritual killings.

“I believe single or unmarried police officers must be transferred every six months for the sake of progress in policing. For those who have families, they must only stay for a period of two years at one station. Otherwise they become comfortable in their area and become corrupt,” says Ramushwana.

About the suspects themselves, Ramushwana said he believed the death penalty wouldn’t work. “I think we need to educate our people so that they can understand that body parts cannot help you to get rich or earn respect as a leader, as it is believed in our culture,” said Ramushwana, who also successfully led the National Peace Keeping Force that restored stability in the country during the transition to the new dispensation.

Chief Musiiwa Mphaphuli said: “The death penalty must come back as ritual murderers undermine the rule of law.” Mphaphuli said he was also concerned that traditional leaders are not empowered to help in solving some of the problems within the community. “I believe that suspects are released because police are not getting enough information in cases, as they are not part of the community.

“However, I appeal to our communities to give information to the police so that they can help the court to punish suspects in court,” said Mphaphuli who also added that human parts do not work in empowering businesspeople or leaders.

Chief Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said: “The community must work with the police to help fight these killings that are getting out of hand now.”

Chief Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase agrees that ritual killings are an old practice amongst the Vhavenda people. However, he says, he does not believe in such practice, “where commoners were killed so that they can be put under a traditional leader’s corpse as it was practice in the olden days.” Tshivhase also appealed for cooperation between the community and the police.

Prof Nkhumeleni Ralushai, who once led the commission that investigated the ritual murder and witchcraft in the province, said: “Police must come with a new method in fighting this problem.”

Premier Sello Moloto appealed to the community to support the task team and give them enough time to work on the 50 unresolved ritual murder cases.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, spokesperson for the Vhembe area, said: "We are disappointment about the latest incidents of the finding of the suspected ritual murder victim." Mushavhanamadi added that they are concerned that the latest incident happened while they were still busy with the case of Nyelisani Sidimela. However, he appealed to the community to support the task team that was appointed by Moloto so that there can be success in these cases.