The family of the gogo who was found burnt beyond recognition at Makonde outside Thohoyandou believes she could have suffered the worst pain before she died. The family also has little or no doubt that their beloved gogo, Nndanganeni Mahafha, might have been a victim of ritual murderers.

Their suspicions are compounded by the fact that the entrance to the room where she slept was wet, which makes them believe that a flammable substance could have been used to burn down the room and that the burning could be an attempt to conceal evidence. Granny Nndanganeni Mahafha, who was deaf and in her seventies, was found at the corner of her room with her body burnt beyond recognition on Thursday evening last week. Her death is shrouded in mystery, which has left the family and the community wondering as to what could have happened, and talks of ritual murder are rife in the streets of the village.

She stayed with her brother, but the brother was away, visiting Ha Masia in the Louis Trichardt area, at the time of her death.

“I am very surprised and shocked as to what had happened,“ said Albert Mahafha, her brother. He said it was not the first time that he had left her on her own. “This is very strange. I could go for some days and she would remain alone and nothing happened, but look at what happened now. Something is not right here,” he said.

Mahafha said he was saddened that his sister had to die a terrible death. Family member Mashudu Mahafha said they had seen trouble coming to the family. “Not long ago, my uncle was assaulted at work by unknown people and for a reason only known to them,” she said. She said they had known that faceless people were after the family, but did not know the reason behind it.

“We are now living in fear and we do not know who will be the next as these people never seem to get enough of our family. Look, they killed a deaf and defenseless gogo and we do not have any doubt that they killed her for muti,”she said. She said all indications made them believe that there was foul play in the whole incident.

She said the family also suspected that she might have been taken away to a place where she could have been ritually murdered and the suspects brought a wild animal and burnt it to confuse the police investigators. She said they found small bones that they think could not have been of their aunt.

“We are very worried and saddened about the whole incident and we are waiting for answers to unravel the mystery. Police should do their best to dig deep in this case and the culprits be brought to book to answer for their actions, “she said.

She said it was sad to lose such an innocent aunt, who could not hurt even a fly, in such a barbaric manner. “Our aunt loved us all and she was so defenseless that she did not deserve to die in this manner,” she said.

She said the family was consoled by the support they are getting from the community and the municipality.

Makonde area has been declared a hunting ground by ritual murderers with many having lost their lives in the process.

One of the best-known cases is that of soccer star Maanda Sendedza, who was mercilessly butchered at nearby bushes and his girlfriend Nyelisani Sidimela losing her lips and left for dead in the same incident.

This was just but one of the cases that have happened in the area and in most of them, suspects were never brought to book. The provincial government established a task team to track down ritual murderers but their successes are still to be accounted for.

Limpopo police spokesperson in Vhembe Captain Mashudu Malelo said they had opened an inquest docket. He said preliminary investigations had shown that the fire could have been caused by a burning candle. He added that they did not have conclusive evidence of a ritual murder, but if the post mortem pointed to the contrary, the case could be changed.

During Mirror’s visit, funeral preparations were underway, with neighbours assisting the family. If all goes well, she will be laid to rest today (Friday) at the local cemetery.

Those wishing to assist the impoverished family can do so by phoning 076 213 2384.