"What has gone wrong with the moral fibre of this society? Is the cause of this death love of money or greed? Are we not making enough noise to be heard when we say that enough is enough? Deaths of this nature are pre-planned and some of the community members know what will happen. Why don’t they inform the victims what will happen next? For how long are we going to keep quiet while our people are killed on a daily basis?"

These were hurtful and unanswered questions asked by the mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr Glory Mashaba, during the funeral service of suspected ritual murder victim, Joyce Nyadzani Muedi (44) of Hamutsha-Khwekhwe. Muedi was given a sad send-off in an emotional funeral service at her home village on Sunday morning.

Mashaba blamed people who see things and never talk about them, especially women who clean houses. "Women see human body parts in the fridges but they never disclose the information. Let’s do away with the mentality that we will only talk when it affects us. Let’s talk about these incidents because we are bound to remove all killers and criminals from our communities." The mayor added that the killing of people degrades the municipality and scares away investors. "Makhado Municipality will never stop condemning the senseless killing of our people, be it criminally motivated or for muti purposes. Investors will obviously shun us because of the escalating crime and ritual murder incidents in our area. We have to come together to stop this."

She added that the municipality sent its deepest sympathies to members of the deceased’s family and those affected by Muedi’s death. "One death is too many and this has also affected us as a responsible municipality. We send our deepest sympathy to the family, especially the two sons of the deceased, who are battling to cope with the tragedy."

Family representative Frans Muedi said: "We thank the different stakeholders who have offered us assistance since the tragedy befell us. This is no longer a family matter but a general community concern. Although we are still shocked, we have courage to go on with life because of your support."

Revolutionary songs like Muzavhalazo wa ri tendela, Ro tshinya’ni?, Fhasi na u viiwa and Kha vha nndwele Murena were the order of the day as the deceased’s coffin was lowered into the cold earth.

Twins Funeral Undertakers donated a coffin and offered free mortuary services to the family of the deceased.