Residents fear serial killer may stalk Thohoyandou

TWO weeks after young Alice Mashau was found murdered in Golgotha, Thohoyandou, residents were alerted to another death, this time that of a woman who was a cleaner at the University of Venda, and was found murdered on Friday.

The semi-naked body of the 44-year-old woman was found on the university’s premises. She had a ragged wound on her head and a pair of scissors was found next to her lifeless body.

Angry students and Golgotha residents want to take the law into their hands by hunting the murderer, who they believe is a serial killer, down.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, said there was a possibility that the latest victim was raped before being murdered. He said the woman’s underwear was found near her body. A murder case was opened, he said.

Three weeks ago, the discovery of the body of a nine-year-old girl in Golgotha raised fears that a serial killer and rapist could be on the loose in the area.

On July 2, Alice Mashau (8) from Shayandima went to school as usual, but vanished after school.

Her parents, Thifhelimbilu and Mmbulaheni Mashau, searched the school premises in P West Thohoyandou without any success.

They were later joined by relatives and other residents but still could not find her.

Two days later, her lifeless body was found by a passerby among some heaps of sand in Golgotha.

According to her father, they rushed to the scene when they heard of the find and saw that it was their daughter.

“She was still in her school uniform, but her socks and school bag were missing. We saw burn marks on her body and toilet paper in her genitals,” he said.

Univen nursing student Shudufhadzo Thagisa was attacked in the early hours of May 26 when she was on her way to do her practical exams. She was seriously injured in the attack.

In April 27, Tshililo Ndou (9) was found dead in the same area.

Other attacks this year include a security guard who was killed near the Nazarene spaza shop and a police reservist attached to the Thohoyandou police who was attacked next to the local park and was seriously injured.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto said the police could not confirm that there was a serial killer in Thohoyandou.

She said a special investigations team had been deployed to investigate.

“No arrest had been made as yet,” she added.