The Vuwani police have arrested a 29-year-old suspect on a charge of murder, following the discovery of a partly decomposed body of a woman at Dzwerani village outside Thohoyandou on Monday morning.

Vuwani police spokesperson Insp Elijah Malatjie said the victim, Mmboniseni Matshinyatsimbi (25) of Dzwerani, had been missing since March 20. She is alleged to have had an argument with her lover the Friday before the incident and, according to information, they were said to have broken up.

On Saturday, the victim was in the company of her new boyfriend when the suspect confronted them. It was reported that her new boyfriend left the two together, not far from the village, and she was never seen again. It is alleged the two were to meet in court as the suspect had a protection order to answer for on Tuesday this week.

A cousin of the deceased, Shumani Mulaudzi, said the family had been having sleepless nights trying to figure out what could have happened to her. He said he was in church on Sunday when a call came through, informing him that somebody had called, instructing them “to come and pick up their whore at Lukwe dam”.

“We reported the matter to the police, who came and accompanied us to the scene. To our disappointment, we did not find her,” he said.

He said the family were panicking when a second call came through on Monday, directing them to a fig tree not far from the village. “We once again took the pains of going there to look for the body as we were then sensing that something bad had happened to her, but still we found no trace of her,” he said,

He said they questioned the new boyfriend, who said that the last person to be seen with the victim had been her old boyfriend.

The boyfriend was traced at Itsani village and, after being cross questioned, allegedly confessed to the murder and directed them to where the body was.

“He was crying and telling us that he doubted that she could be still alive, knowing well that he had killed her. On arrival, we were met by the grisly find. Her body was badly mutilated and it was hard to look at her,” he said.

Mulaudzi said they were relieved as a family that her body had been found, but were greatly saddened about the way she died. “Our cousin was killed in the most barbaric manner and we do not even know what wrong she could have done that could not be repaid in terms of money. We know she will not return and we wish for the law take its course. We hope this guy rots in jail,” he said.

He said they believed the murder was not committed by one person and was not committed where the body was found as there were no signs of struggle at the scene. “He did not act alone and we hope that police investigations will unearth the other suspects, so that they can face the consequences of their actions. We are sick and tired of crime in our area,” he said.

He said the family was struggling to make ends meet as Mboniseni was the sole breadwinner at home and no one in the family is employed. He said they were just relying on the generosity of Good Samaritans who might lend a helping hand, so that they can give their loved one a decent funeral.

The local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Mmbangiseni Khangale, said that young people were now resorting to killing as a way out of their problems. “Only last week we buried one of our girls here who was killed after an argument with her boyfriend in Gauteng. Something must be done to remedy the situation. Government and non-governmental organizations should intensify their campaigns,” he said.

“We are greatly saddened by this type of death. We expect many good things from our youth but this is a sign that we should intensify and preach against violence in our meetings,” he said.

The chairperson of Munna Ndi Nnyi Men´s Forum, Mr Bardwell Mufunwaini, said whoever killed the woman was not a real man. ´Real men do not kill; they do not rape their women, but give comfort and security to them. Let us all shout out in one voice against the abuse and cruelty perpetrated against our womenfolk and this country will be a better place to live in.”

Mufunwaini said he was equally worried that the murder occurred when the whole country was busy celebrating Human Rights Day.

Police have confirmed the incident and that they are investigating a murder charge.

The family is making an appeal for help as they cannot afford to bury her.

Those willing to assist the family can contact Shumani Mulaudzi at 082 765 1043/ 073 116 7779 or Divhi at 072 511 8910.

A 29-year-old man, Ntikedzeni Mudziwa of Dzwerani appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the case. The case was postponed for further investigation and he is in custody.