VANDERBIJLPARK – A 33-year-old traditional healer accused of digging up graves and keeping human skulls has abandoned his bail application.
This comes after the suspect, identified as Thulane Ramohai, appeared briefly at Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on October 21, following his arrest last month.
Ramohai was initially arrested on September 6, after being found in possession of human skulls and what is believed to be human ashes.
His arrest came just weeks after security guards in Vanderbijlpark suspected foul play after finding several graves tampered with.
Following his appearance, the now popular ‘grave robber’ abandoned his bail bid and is facing more charges, including being illegal in the country.
“The matter was postponed to November 6 for further investigations. He also faces an additional charge of being in the country illegally,” confirmed National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Ster investigated the matter after the suspect was charged with violation of graves and malicious property damage.
According to sources close to the investigation, Ramohai made chilling confessions during his interrogation, confessing to violating several graves across the Vaal and surrounding areas.
“Upon questioning, the suspect volunteered to point out the graves he tampered with. He led our officers, including forensic experts, to several graves in cemeteries such as Vanderbijlpark, Jacobskop, and old farm cemeteries near Poortjie,” he said.
“During the exercise, three graves were identified at the Vanderbijlpark Cemetery, including that of a child who died in December 2019. Bones were missing in that grave. We also went to two other graves of cremated corpses, but Ramohai reportedly admitted to consuming ashes from them on the day of his arrest,” he added.
The investigation later led officers to Jacobskop Cemetery in De Deur, where Ramohai pointed out another grave from which he allegedly took the skull found in his possession.
“Just when we thought our journey was close to the end, he led us to Randfontein Road near Poortjie, where he pointed out two more graves belonging to individuals born in 1912 and 1931 and alleged to have removed skulls and bones as well.”
The suspect remains in custody.
