"The ritual murder season is open..." This was said by a shocked member of a community, plunged into more sadness after another ritual murder was discovered in the area adjacent to Malamulele.

The communities surrounding Malamulele, who had been hit by a suspected ritual murder a fortnight ago, received yet another blow, when the body of a granny with some parts missing was found at her house at Mahonisi. The gruesome discovery was made by the daughter of Mrs Tsatsawani Maceke (75), who went to give her mother a meal on Saturday morning.

A fortnight ago , residents from neighbouring Mavambe village were toyi-toying, wanting police to arrest the suspect of the alleged ritual murder of Ms Grace Baloyi (47), in the neigbhouring Mavambe village. Her body was found in a mealie field with her private parts, toungue and lips missing.

News of the murder spread like wildfire, with hundreds of people streaming from all neighbouring villages to have a glimpse of the gruesome discovery. Soon afterwards, the task team appointed by MEC for Safety Security and Liaison Mr George Phadagi and personally supervised by provincial commissioner of police Lt Gen Amon Mashego to investigate the Mavambe ritual murder and other outstanding cases, sprang into action.

They were seen combing the area for evidence at the place where the body was found, while members of the community looked on in amazement.

An emotional Ms Joyce Maceke, daughter of the deceased, said she gave her mother some food on Friday and that was the last time she saw her. “My mother was in good spirits and I did not know it would be the last time I would see her alive. It was only on Saturday morning that my daughter Lydia noticed that she was not opening her house and later found that she was dead on her bed. This was the most gruesome sight ever and I do not think we will ever forget it,” she said.

She said her mother had been raped on several occassions, but whenever the matter was reported to the police, nothing was done. According to her, she even went to social workers, but no action was taken to protect her mother. “The system failed us. If the matter had been attended to earlier , this would not have happened; my mother would be still alive," she said.

“My mother was a loving person who made sure that we were all raised well, irrespective of her not working. We will always think of the good she did for us. She was such a wonderful person; we are totally devastated by her death,” she said.

Lt Gen Mashego said police were investigating the gruesome of the murder of Baloyi and were shocked that, before they had concluded investigations about one murder, another murder involving a woman happened. “This government propagates the protection of women, children and the elderly and we find it bad that some people work to the contrary,” he said.

He said preliminary results showed that the toungue, nose and breasts were missing from the body. He said some people were questioned about the death of the granny, but refused to shed further details. He requested the community to give the police space to conduct their investigations. “We are certain that we will make a breakthrough in the two cases,” said Mashego.

At the time of going to press, five suspects were reportedly in custody in connection with the death.