Community living in fear after woman’s leg was chopped off and body burnt

Residents of Muhlava Cross Village near Nkowankowa in Tzaneen, Limpopo, are traumatised after the brutal murder of a woman.

The woman’s body was burnt and one of her legs was chopped off. 

Community members are now calling for the police to act quickly.

Brutal murder of woman

A few days ago, Elizabeth Gana’s charred body was found inside her house, which was also torched. Her body is in the mortuary as the family is still waiting for the DNA test results. 

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Residents, who spoke to The Citizen, said the 58-year-old Gana was staying in the same yard with her brother at the time of her death.

“It has been about five days since the incident happened and no one has been arrested yet. These senseless killings happening in our area must come to an end. This lady was a very kind person; I don’t remember her having enemies or quarrelling with her neighbours,” community leader Elizabeth Shingange said on Friday. 

“This gruesome killing has shocked the community and everybody is scared because we don’t know what will happen during the night.”

Another community member, Themba Mhlongo, said the community is concerned about the number of women being killed in the Nkowankowa area. 

Mhlongo has called on the community to unite and work with law enforcement agencies to fight crime in the area.

“We call upon the police to do their job and find those who are responsible and hold them accountable.” 

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Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the police are investigating the matter. 

“The police have opened an inquest following the discovery of a 58-year-old woman. The deceased was identified by the next of kin as Hlanganani Elizabeth Gana. The body was transported to Letaba government mortuary by the forensic pathologist for the postmortem to be conducted to determine the cause of death. 

“The deceased was staying next to her brother in the same yard, separated by a fence. Anyone with information that can lead to the apprehension of suspects, please contact the police.”

Another burnt body found in Limpopo

Meanwhile, in another case, Limpopo police are investigating a charred body that was found dumped in the Eisleben, Makgatho sports grounds in Morebeng near Louis Trichardt on Thursday. 

“On arrival, they found an unknown body, burnt beyond recognition, lying on the ground without any sign of the gender due to the severity of the burning. Although the motive for the brutal attack remains unknown at this stage, mob justice and related incidents cannot be ruled out.

“A murder case was opened and police are requesting anyone with information to come forward,” police said in a statement.

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