Body of murdered disabled man found at Phiphidi

The family of a man whose body was found on Monday at Phiphidi say they have more questions than answers about his death. The man, identified as Maanda Mulovhedzi (42), was found dead by a passerby in a maize field next to the Phiphidi clinic at about 07:00.

The dead man’s uncle, former boxing champion Tsiko Mulovhedzi, said he had been called to the scene at about 8:00. “On arrival, I found police and community members already there. They allowed me to see the body, and I identified him as my nephew. He had bruises, and his trousers were halfway pulled down. His jacket and the crutches he used as a disabled person were nearby, and it was clear that a struggle took place before he was murdered,” he said.

Mulovhedzi said that his nephew had used to stay at Mbaleni in Sibasa but had moved in with his wife at Phiphidi. “What we learned is that the couple had regular fights, to an extent that he wanted to go back home. He had requested members of the family to come pick him up with his belongings,” he said.

The late man’s aunt, Ms Fhatuwani Mulovhedzi, also reiterated the same sentiment that the family members needed answers. “We need to know what had happened between the time that he had left the house and the time he was found dead. What did they want from a disabled man like him that could have caused his death? He could not fight back as a disabled person,” she said.

Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident and said that a murder case was being investigated. “Information is that he was last seen on Sunday. Preliminary investigations revealed that there was a struggle at the scene. The motive for the killing is not known yet, and the suspect(s) are also unknown,” he said.

Any information that could help in solving this case can be given to the investigating officer, Captain Sydney Dama, at 082 469 1035.

Date:02 May 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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