Tshituni community saddened by discovery of man’s remains

LIMPOPO – The body of a 52-year-old man from Tshituni, who was reported missing two weeks ago, was found in the mountains at Mawoni on August 24.

Eric Munzhedzi went missing on Women’s Day and family members said they had searched for him everywhere, but in vain, so they reported his disappearance to the police.

When his body was discovered two weeks later, it was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

According to Munzhedzi’s sister, Tsumbedzo Vhulahani, who was called to the scene to identify the body, her brother was also missing some body parts.

“I rushed over there and what I saw traumatised me so much that it will take a long time for me to forget it. This was not normal. We are convinced that he was murdered for muti purposes, but we will wait for the post mortem results to find closure,” she said.

Provincial police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said they opened an inquest after the discovery.

“A post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and if anything comes out on the contrary, we will not hesitate to change the docket to murder. We appeal to anybody with information to please come forward. The information might be able to assist us in unravelling the mystery,” he said.

When news of the discovery was made known, it caused upset among some members of the community.

Khathutshelo Netshituni from the local traditional council said that they as community leaders were greatly saddened by the news of Munzhedzi’s death.

“When the family reported him missing, the whole community helped search for him. We hoped he would be found alive. We do, however, in the midst of it all, commend the community for remaining calm and not being led by their emotions. We need peace in this area, and the only way this can come about is when we as the community work hand in glove with the police,” she said.

Munzhedzi was buried at Tshituni on September 3.