2 Thohoyandou police officers found dead at home
Two Thohoyandou officers were found dead at their home in Ha Thukhutha, with police probing a suspected domestic violence incident.
LIMPOPO – A sombre mood prevailed in the village of Ha Thukhutha, Tshiulungoma 1 near Thohoyandou after an incident on February 24 that left two police officials dead.
The deceased were identified as Warrant Officer Shavhi Nemulodi (55) and Warrant Officer Tshilidzi Mathieledzha (45).
Mathieledzha was found in a pool of blood with multiple stabwounds, while Nemulodi’s body was found hanging.
His mother, Josephine Nemulodi, told the media that the couple had been having domestic squabbles for a while now.
“We tried to resolve the problem as close relatives. We are saddened by the incident and the incident has left the families divided,” she said.
She confirmed that her son had been buried at Ha Mphego village on Tuesday, while his wife will be buried in her parental home in Vondwe village near Tshidimbini.
It had also been established that because of the nature of the couple’s relationship, the Thohoyandou police earlier opted to keep their firearms.
The chairperson of the men’s forum, Munna Ndi Nnyi?, (Who is the real man?), Dr Bardwell Mufunwaini, who visited the family to offer family support, strongly condemned the incident, saying as a forum, they advise couples to respect each other, and if there are misunderstandings, to seek assistance from pastors and social workers.
Mufunwaini added that plans are underway for his organisation to hold a gender dialogue at the Thohoyandou Police Station, as it might help to ease the work stress officers might be encountering in their daily life.
Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe condemned the incident.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that at 13:09, the police were informed about the incident at Ha Thukhutha, Tshilungoma 1 village, and rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival, they found a female victim aged 45 lying in a pool of blood with multiple stabwounds. Upon further observation the police discovered her 55-year-old husband’s body, hanging from the ceiling.
“Members of the Emergency Medical Services were summoned to the scene and certified the couple dead.”
He confirmed that both worked as warrant officers attached to the Thohoyandou Local Criminal Record Centre.
“The untimely death of the two members is a serious loss and a devastating blow to our organisation as well as community at large. We once more call on our members to seek assistance from the relevant structures like Employee Health and Welfare to avoid this unnecessary loss of lives.
“My condolences to the families and relatives of the departed members.”
Police opened a murder and inquest. The motive of the incident is unknown at this stage, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out. Police investigations are continuing.
