Limpopo muti victim laid to rest

LIMPOPO – “We heard that the belly of the bishop who lured Lufuno Mandebvu to her murder, is growing bigger and bigger, so let it burst day light”.

This was the utterance of the Holy Christian Apostolic Church Bishop, Ntshavheni Netshia who struggled to hold back the tears as he officiated over the funeral of the young Mandebvu.

She was murdered before her body was set alight and dumped at the peak of Tshilavulu mountain in Mutale.

Prophet points out location of victim’s body

Mandebvu disappeared on December 27 last year and a prophet from Zimbabwean descent, Richard Mlambo, showed the police where the mutilated body had been dumped.

Netshia called upon young women to not waste their money by consulting sangomas, false prophets and bogus pastors.

Mayor Avhashoni Tshifhango of the Thulamela Municipality said people must be vigilant of bogus prophets that are mushrooming all over the province.

“The mushrooming of false prophets is what prompts government to investigate churches. Some spray people with insecticides, and even force congregants to eat snakes, grass and drink petrol or disinfectant. Let’s stand firm and make sure the people who killed Lufuno for ritual murder purposes, are put behind bars,” said Tshifhango.

Chief Rogers Tshivhase of Khalavha told villagers, especially young women to stop visiting sangomas and prophets without notifying other family members.

“We are not going to rest until all suspects in this case are arrested,” said Tshivhase.

The deceased’s brother, Khathu Mandebvu said the death of his sister at the hands of suspected muti killers is something he will never forget.

“Lufuno was not just a sister to me, we were like friends. I took her picture at home not knowing it was her goodbye to me. The day I visited the prophet, he refused to speak to me. Police should arrest everyone involved,” said Mandebvu.

• A suspect in the case is expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on 2 March.

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