Vhembe man arrested for digging up sister’s grave
Vhembe grave desecration sparks human body parts trafficking fears as 30-year-old arrested for digging up sister's grave to sell bones.
LIMPOPO – The investigation into human body parts trafficking took a disturbing turn last Tuesday when police arrested a man for digging up his sister’s grave in Shanzha village, Vhembe. The incident is being treated as a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat the illegal harvesting and sale of human remains.
The theft and sale of body parts from graves has sparked fear in Vhembe, particularly in Shanzha and Dopeni, where rumours about grave desecration have spread rapidly. This recent incident follows similar cases, including a 2017 arrest of five suspects, among them two traditional healers, accused of stealing human remains from graves at Tshitavha-Sambandou and Folovhodwe for commercial purposes.
According to Warrant Officer Vuledzani Dathi, the police arrested a 30-year-old suspect, who is the brother of the deceased, after he was caught digging a hole next to his sister’s grave. The man apparently admitted to tampering with graves, intending to collect bones to sell in Gauteng.
Thinavhuyo Budeli, the suspect’s grandmother, explained that the suspect, took a spade and left the house. “I sent family members to follow him, and they found him digging up his sister’s grave. He said he wanted to sell the bones.”
Community leader Joseph Ramahanedza called for a deeper investigation, suspecting that the grave robberies are part of a larger, more sinister network. “We fear this could be the tip of the iceberg. The suspect must reveal the full extent of these crimes – many more bodies might have been stolen.”
The community, already shaken by previous cases of grave desecration, is demanding justice and improved security at burial sites.
“I feel so sad and disappointed. Our ancestors’ resting places are being desecrated with no respect,” said a concerned community member. “There’s no security at these graveyards. What will they take next – our tombstones?”
The investigation continues as police probe potential links between the latest suspect and other grave robberies in the region.
