4 arrested in Vhembe ritual murder case of mother and child
Police have arrested four suspects, including a traditional healer, in a suspected ritual murder of a mother and her 2-year-old daughter.
LIMPOPO – Police investigations into the disappearance of a young mother, Rendani Tshigwilli, and her two-year-old daughter in Vhembe in May, have led to the arrest of four persons, including a traditional healer who was reportedly found in possession of the victims’ missing heads.
The 34-year-old woman and her toddler had been missing since May 19. After months of investigation, a breakthrough came last Wednesday, when police discovered their beheaded bodies. Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32) were arrested on the same day and charged with murder.
The two appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday and were remanded in custody. Their case was postponed to August 12 for further investigation.
One of the accused is reportedly the deceased woman’s boyfriend. As investigations continued, two more men were arrested.
On Friday, a 55-year-old suspect was apprehended in Hlabeni Block F, under the Saselamani policing area. Police then followed leads to Muraga village in the Thohoyandou area, where a 38-year-old traditional healer was found in possession of human remains believed to be the missing heads of the victims.
Both additional suspects were taken into custody and were expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The traditional healer will face additional charges of possession of human tissue.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the combined efforts of the Thohoyandou detectives, the provincial missing persons unit, and intervention team.
“Their dedication and investigative skill ensured that the suspects were brought to book,” she said.
Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the motive behind the murders is still under investigation, though suspicions of ritualistic intent are being explored. The case has shocked the community and drawn widespread condemnation.
Police investigations continue.
