Muti murder accused stays in custody

The man accused of killing a woman for muti purposes not only accused the Makhado (Louis Trichardt) law fraternity of being unjust, he also claimed that he had new information in the case.

The 38-year-old Freddy Azwitamisi Tshikhudo, who is accused of brutally killing Rumbidzai Manyere (36), appeared in the Louis Trichardt District Court last Wednesday where he brought a bail application. He was denied bail, after it came to light that not only had he been convicted of murder previously, but that he had also absconded from court on another charge of housebreaking.

During a short court recess, Tshikhudo approached journalists from the Zoutpansberger, asking them to hook him up with documentary producers, so that he "can tell the truth about the case.” He was smartly dressed in a suit and tie and clearly loved the media attention.

Tshikhudo was arrested on 5 April at Elti Café in Eltivillas when he allegedly tried to rob a business using a severed human arm. The following day, he led the Makhado police to the place where he had allegedly murdered Manyere and left her body to rot. Manyere’s right arm, both eyes and her private parts had been cut off. Her body itself was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

At the time of his arrest, Tshikhudo claimed that the owners of Elti Café, Mr Musha Isap Ali Patel (62) and his wife, Ms Hasina Muska Patel (60), were part of the plot and owed him money for killing Manyere. All charges were, however, withdrawn against the Patels when Tshikhudo gave another statement that cleared them from any blame in the murder.

During his bail application last week, the Makhado SAPS also asked the court not to release Tshikhudo as possible rape charges could also be brought against him. Capt Rodney Ndou testified that Tshikhudo had nine previous convictions, which included murder, rape, assault and stock theft. Tshikhudo, he said, is currently also standing trial on housebreaking and attempted-rape charges. “He is facing the possibility of a life sentence and I believe that he will not come back to court,” Capt Ndou testified.

The state prosecutor recapped Ndou’s testimony and asked the court not to release a “habitual criminal” back into society. “The community will not feel safe with him [Tshikhudo] walking the streets, and his life will not be safe if he goes back home,” said the prosecutor.

Subsequently, Tshikhudo was denied bail and ordered to remain in police custody until the outcome of his murder trial. He will appear in court again on 26 July.

Also read:

19 April 2013 - Stop killing us like dogs!

Date:06 June 2013

By: Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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