Latest news with #ThohoyandouMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
13-08-2025
- The Citizen
Limpopo reels from GBVF and ritual murder surge
More than 10 horrific GBVF murders in just 10 days have rocked Limpopo, with authorities now fearing a link to ritual killings. A surge in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and, possibly, ritual murder cases in the Vhembe region and Limpopo at large has prompted premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba to convene an urgent special extended executive council meeting in Polokwane. The meeting was called to discuss plans to turn the situation around. Ramathuba said the increase started at the beginning of August, which is Women's Month. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a stern warning against perpetrators of GBVF during a Women's Day event at Nkowankowa Stadium, outside Tzaneen, at the weekend. Ramathuba expressed devastation and anger at these gruesome crimes and said action must be taken as a matter of urgency. Disturbing murder statistics emerge Recently, the South African Police Service (Saps) in Limpopo reported that more than 10 horrific GBVF murder cases have taken place in the province in just in 10 days. 'There is something wrong in our province, especially in the Vhembe district. Such horrific murders cannot be [normal],' Ramathuba said. 'We have lost our moral compass and substantial intervention is needed to halt this alarming trend.' Ritual murder fears in Vhembe The premier said it was of concern that some of these cases seemed to be linked to ritual murders. ALSO READ: GBV: Are we losing this war? Among the recent incidents was the murder of a woman, who was aged 34, and her two-year-old daughter in Vhembe police district. They were reported missing on 19 May. A 55-year-old male suspect from Makuleke village was arrested. Suspects linked to horrific case Police investigations then led to the homestead of a 38-year-old traditional healer in Muraga village. The two will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing a charge of murder. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said the traditional healer was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims. A charge of possession of human tissue will be added against the 38-year-old male suspect,' she said. Multiple arrests and ongoing investigations In addition, another two male suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa, 43, from Malavuwe village, and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze, 32, from Ha-Lambani Masetoni village, were linked through investigations to the murders of the mother and child. They were arrested and appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on 1 August. The two men were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed for further investigations to yesterday. NOW READ: SA's GBV terror: Many didn't celebrate Women's Day, but survived it
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- The Citizen
Mother and daughter (2) beheaded in Limpopo: 2 more suspects arrested, including traditional healer
Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of a 34-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter, whose headless bodies were discovered earlier this week in Limpopo. On Friday, the SAPS Thohoyandou, Vhembe District team, and provincial investigators apprehended a 55-year-old man during an operation in Hlabeni Block F, within the Saselamani policing area. Their investigation then led them to Muraga village in the Thohoyandou precinct, where a 38-year-old traditional healer was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of the victims' severed heads. A charge of possession of human tissue will be added against him. The arrests follow a breakthrough on Wednesday, when police, acting on credible information, discovered the bodies of the mother and child, reported missing on May 19. Both had been beheaded. As a result of that discovery, two suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32), were arrested. One of the suspects is believed to have been the boyfriend of the murdered woman. Phalandwa and Tshivhombedze appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Friday and were remanded in custody. Their case was postponed to August 12 for further investigation. The two newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court tomorrow. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the motive behind the brutal killings is still under investigation. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
