One of the three suspects implicated in the alleged ritual murder of Joyce Nyadzani Muedi (44) of Hamutsha-Khwekhwe, appeared on a separate charge of rape at the Sibasa Regional Court on Tuesday.

While the case of the alleged ritual murder is still the talk of the town, a group of curious community members lined up outside the court to have a glimpse on Azwihangwisi Mudau (22) of Hamutsha-Codesa, near Thohoyandou.

The suspect’s rape charge relates to an incident which took place at Hamutsha Clinic, in December last year. Mudau allegedly went to the clinic during the night and held a female security guard hostage. He then dragged her into the local bushes and raped her. Fortunately, the suspect was well-known to the victim, who immediately reported him to the police.

The rape case was postponed to August 30 at the same court. Mudau will be in custody, as bail was not granted. During his appearance, Mudau looked exhausted and depressed. He looked around the fully packed court several times as if he wanted to speak to the audience. Scores of people again looked on in curiosity as the police escorted him through the crowd to a waiting police van after the court proceedings.

One of the angry villagers from Hamutsha, who attended the court hearing, Saddam Masutha, said: "We want to live in a crime-free habitat and we are happy that the law will take its course. If found guilty, the man must spend the rest of his life in prison."

* In the suspected ritual murder case, Mudau is implicated with Thomas Mdlayi (65) of Tshino-Hamangilasi and Nyamukamadi Miriri (65) of Hamutsha-Codesa. This comes after the badly damaged, naked body of Joyce Nyadzani Muedi’s was found floating at the Muunga River, near Levubu last month. She had two visible gaping wounds to the head and her hands were tied behind her back. Her clothes were later found just a few metres from the river. When the body was retrieved, the water poured through the deceased ‘s mouth and found its way through the private parts, raising suspicion that body parts from her stomach might have been removed.