The name Tshivhilidulu outside Thohoyandou has become synonymous with violent death. Many a life has been lost in the dark of the night and this seems to have become a way of life for this rural community.

In 2005, Maria Munyai, 27 and pregnant, was hacked and killed with an axe in her sleep. In 2006, the Sivhugwana children´s murders shocked the world, when four children were hacked to death. Ndivhuwo Tshilimandila (19), Nnyadzeni (14), Shumani (10) and Lavhelesani (6) were all found with gaping wounds on their heads, necks and a bloodied axe was found at the scene.

Last year, a police constable went berserk, shooting his wife Nyambeni Murigwathoho (28) and his mother-in-law, Mbengeni Murigwathoho (47).

Only last week, the same village had a rude awakening when a middle-aged woman’s lifeless body was discovered in her house with a gaping wound to the head. (See a report on page 2)

The 54-year-old, who stayed alone, was found dead in the morning with a stab wound to the right eye and it seems as if she was also strangled, as a cloth had been tightened around her neck.

Family member Azwihangwisi Netshivhiludulu said the family was still preparing a member of the family for burial when the bad news was broken to them. “The death came as a shock to us. We are in extended mourning after burying my sister at the weekend. We were robbed of a good person who did not have any grudge against anybody,” he said. “By the look of things, the suspects entered through the window, ransacked the room and killed the woman. Everything was upside down in the room,” he said.

Mr Nkhoyeni Ratshiedana,a local civic secretary, said they were fed-up with the continuing spiral of crime in their locality. “We need to stand up as a community and speak out against this heinous crime. We have to make this area a no-go area for criminals, so that they will not have anywhere to hide. Together with our traditional leader and our neighbouring villages, we can bring about a meaningful change in our community,” he said.

He said they were having a problem with illegal foreigners who did as they wished in the community, knowing fully that they could not be traced.

The latest incident has caused an uproar in the community. Many questions and concerns, as well as confusion, have been ignited in the community, with people wondering who will be next to die violently. Many whom this newspaper approached were reluctant to speak about this topic. It seems they fear that talking about it openly might invite these evil forces. Some believe that the village is under a bad spell and a curse, which needs human blood.

Netshivhilidulu said people were even afraid to walk in the streets in the evening. Some cannot even go out of their houses, fearing that the lunatic maniac might strike. “We need help to stop this mysterious force in its tracks. We need divine intervention in this matter and we would appreciate it if religious people could come together for a special prayer day. Maybe God will hear us and stop this madness,” he said.

He said the killings were shaking his rule and people might be now doubting his ability to rule.