"How can I murder my wife for muti purposes, as I loved her dearly? I have never tasted blood, because I am a responsible family man who respects human life.

The law has taken its course and I want people to stop calling me names and leave me alone," said Mr Ndivhudzannyi Reckson Thinandavha (42) the man who was acquitted of the ritual murder of his wife, Shonisani Thinandavha (38) of Mulodi village, north of Thohoyandou.

Reckson, who stayed in prison for eight months, was acquitted by the Mutale Magistrate’s court on March 16, after the DNA results could not link him to the murder - but he still lives in fear because his community has refused to accept him back. He now lives a lonely and hopeless life in the holding cells at Mutale Police Station.

"It is very painful to live here in the police station because I am now supposed to be a free man. I have seven kids with my deceased wife and we had been married since 1987. What could be the reason for killing her because she was the only pillar of my strength? I even hate to hurt a fly and I could not get the courage to kill the person I loved so much. I have uttered my innocence since the beginning of the trial and I am happy that justice has prevailed at long last, although I am still living in pain."

Reckson said he wanted to go back to his community to continue with farming, but he was disappointed when he was told that he was no longer welcome. "When I was acquitted, I went back to Mulodi and send a delegation to the royal kraal to tell them that I was back. It was reported to me that during the community meeting, they resolved that they no longer wanted me back. I don’t understand why they took that resolution because the law has cleared me. I went back to the police and told them about my confusion, hence I was kept in the police cell for my own protection."

He says he only wants the community to accept him back because he does not have any blood on his hands. "I humbly beg everyone to accept me back because I did not commit the murder. I don’t know why I was suspected but I think my enemies played a big role because they want me to suffer."

He explained how cruel life was in prison. "I was wrongly accused of a serious crime which I did not do. I was afraid that some inmates would kill me because no one likes ritual murderers. I have learnt the hard way that one can die for something you did not do. The Lord has been with me since my tribulations started and I am happy that he has delivered me from the jaws of evil. I will never stop praising Him because He has saved me. I was and will never take part in destroying life because I know that it is a wonderful gift from God."