LIMPOPO – The brutal murder of a 34-year-old Limpopo mother and her two-year-old daughter has taken a disturbing turn with the arrest of four suspects, including the woman's boyfriend. The tragic discovery comes after the pair went missing in May, sparking an extensive search operation.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that two suspects, 43-year-old Tshilidzi Phalandwa and 32-year-old Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze, appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday. They have been charged with murder and remanded in custody until 12 August, pending further investigations.
"The woman and her daughter went missing on 19 May, and the investigation commenced in earnest," said Colonel Ledwaba.
The breakthrough came on Wednesday, when a task team comprising members of the SAPS’ Thohoyandou intervention team, Thohoyandou detectives, and the provincial missing persons team, acted on a credible lead. This led them to the discovery of the bodies of the mother and her daughter.
"As a result of this gruesome discovery, two suspects were linked to the incident and were immediately arrested," Ledwaba stated. He also revealed the horrific scene encountered by the police: "During the process, it was also discovered that the bodies were without heads."
Further investigations revealed a deeply troubling connection. "More disturbingly, one of the suspects is alleged to be the boyfriend of the deceased," Ledwaba confirmed. The motive behind this heinous crime remains under investigation.
Adding another layer of horror to the case, two additional suspects were apprehended on Friday. A 55-year-old man was arrested at Hlabeni, under the Saselamani policing area.
"Further police investigations led the (police) members to the residence of a 38-year-old traditional healer at Muraga village under the Thohoyandou precinct. The traditional healer was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims and was also placed under arrest," said Colonel Ledwaba.
The 55-year-old man and the 38-year-old traditional healer are set to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of murder. The traditional healer will also face an additional charge of possession of human tissue.
The deceased woman and her daughter were last seen at Tshiulungoma village when they visited the woman’s mother more than two months ago. While police believe the bodies discovered are those of Rendani Tshigwili and her daughter, DNA testing is currently being conducted to positively confirm their identities.
Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the investigating teams for their swift action and dedication in tracking down the alleged killers. She saluted them "for their remarkable skill" in bringing the suspects to justice.
This tragic case follows another disturbing incident in Limpopo earlier this week, where a 35-year-old man was arrested for the murder of a 13-month-old baby and the attempted murder of the baby’s mother, who was also his ex-girlfriend.
According to police reports, the man drove over his ex-girlfriend and her baby, killing the child. The incident occurred after a heated argument between the man and his ex-girlfriend, who was waiting for a taxi with her child. The man followed the taxi and, after the woman and her baby alighted, drove over them at high speed.
"According to information, the female victim was with her child alongside the road, at around 8 pm, waiting for a taxi to Segopye village, when the suspect, who is her ex-boyfriend, came and started to have a heated argument with her," said Ledwaba.
"They alighted at Marothi (Makwalaneng) Cross, and her ex-boyfriend, driving the van at a high speed, drove over them, without stopping," said Ledwaba.
These recent events paint a grim picture of escalating brutality in the region and raise serious concerns about the safety and security of women and children in Limpopo. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to these or any other crimes to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigations.
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