One of the four traditional healers who received heavy sentences for ritual murder at the Thohoyandou High Court, is dead. News of Tshimomo Munyai’s death spread like wildfire last week after he spent only two months of his 21-year jail sentence. Tshimomo was staying at Tshandama Village, outside Tshilamba.

As accused No 3 in a high-profile case, Munyai (54) was found guilty on two counts. On the murder of an unknown man at Mafukani, he was sentenced to 20 years and an additional one-year sentence for trading in the body parts of the unknown man. His sentence was running concurrently.

Munyai’s counterparts, Shumani Dzebu and Mukondeleni Phosha, were sentenced to two life sentences plus 17 years and one life sentence and 32 years respectively. Another elderly traditional healer, Balanganani Munyai (85) was only found guilty on one count, that of trading in body parts of the unknown man. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment, of which six months have been suspended for five years.

The deceased was reported to be of poor health while the trial was taking place. The exact cause of his death was still not clear at the time of going to press. He was reportedly in and out of hospital since he received his sentence two months ago. His wife also died while he was in police custody before his case was finalized. Munyai is expected to be buried at Tshandama village tomorrow (Saturday).

Munyai’s death has generated different opinions from community members. Dean Alunamutwe Rannditsheni of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) said: "Our wish is to see all people repenting before they die. One death is a great loss to the community, regardless of what the man did in his lifetime. We are saddened by his death, because he was also created by God." Rannditsheni says he is only worried that Tshimomo is gone with a lot of information that could be used for future reference in ritual murder cases. "If the need arises to resume the case from scratch, we will not get sensitive information which he allegedly did not disclose in court. Maybe he was going to repent during his lifetime and disclose everything while in prison. However, there is nothing we can do because we have to accept the situation as it is."

The same sentiments were echoed by Abel Nethathe of the Ravhura Royal Council, who is always in the forefront against the acts of ritual murder. "The deceased was eager to disclose sensitive information that could have led to more arrests of other ritual murderers. Now that he is dead, it will be a terrible blow for further investigations on man eaters."