A man who has been has been implicated in the ritual murder case of his common law wife briefly appeared in the Mutale Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The case against Ndivhudzannyi Reckson Thinandavha (42) was postponed to14 November for further investigation.

This follows after the mutilated body of Shonisani Thinandavha (38), was found at Mulodi Mountain in July. Her upper lip, right hand palm, left ear and the front part of her breasts were sliced off. She was naked from the waist down and a rope was tied around her neck. The deceased has left behind seven kids, including a seven-month-old baby.

Ndivhudzannyi will remain in police custody until his next appearence. Mirror has learnt that the reason for the postponement of his bail application is because a new investigation officer has come on board and he needs more time to consult with various stakeholders before the case actually starts. It also came to light that the state is still waiting for the DNA results on the samples of evidence taken from the scene of the murder.

As usual, Ndivhudzannyi was dressed in a khaki lumber jacket, black trousers and black shoes. He looked calm and walked confidently to the dock, although he had shackles around his legs. Only family members and media staff were allowed entry into the court, a move which did not go down well to a huge crowd that came to attend the trial which aroused huge public interest.

The postponement was received with different views from different community stakeholders. Representing the victim’s family, Thivhulawi Netshituni said there is no proper communication between the family and the police. "The police never briefed us about the developments in the case and instead we only hear it here in court that the case is being postponed. We were never given the reasons for the postponement until we enquired by ourselves. They only remand the case for further investigations and they do not tell us what those further investigations are. We deserve to know what is going on because we are still feeling the pain of losing our beloved family member in such a cruel manner. Anyway, we will wait for the law to take its own course."

Sanco Provincial Organizing Secretary James Delekisa said he is afraid that the delays in the case might be a terrible blow for community members who would like to give evidence. "People still have fresh evidence but we are afraid that they will no longer come forward because the case is dragging on. As law-abiding citizens, we respect the law and our stand is that if the suspect is found guilty, he must face the full wrath of the law."

Mr Norman Mudau of the Mutale Victim Empowerment Programme said: "The state must make sure that the case is finalized as a matter of urgency before people become impatient. We understand the pain of the family and we need the case to be closed because the postponement seems to be delaying justice for the bereaved family."