In one of the many bizarre murder cases to occur in Vhembe, a man from Maniini Block L allegedly sought the services of a traditional healer for cleansing after he had killed his wife, and subsequently turned himself in to the police.
On Saturday, 12 August, 27-year-old Ronewa Nelukau was reportedly brutally assaulted and stabbed by her partner while they were returning home from a local tavern. Despite her injuries, they both went back to their homestead and went to sleep. The following morning (13th) concerned neighbours who had witnessed their fight the previous night entered their house to check on Nelukau's well-being. Tragically, they discovered her lifeless body. The boyfriend had vanished, but he assured them that he would surrender to the police after consulting with a traditional healer.
The circumstances surrounding Nelukau's death, which appears to be the result of domestic violence, have plunged her family and community into profound grief. The exact cause of the altercation leading to her murder remains under investigation by the police.
The murder has drawn condemnation from various quarters, particularly because it occurred during Women's Month. Among those condemning the incident was Mr Eric Maravha, the deputy chairperson of Maniini Block L's civic organisation. He expressed his deep sadness over the incident, particularly given the time when women should be celebrated. Maravha stated, "The perpetrator is not a true man among us. He is a beast deserving of severe punishment. Men should be protectors of their families, but what we are witnessing is an alarming increase in violence against women. As community leaders, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family." Maravha also said that the community was holding meetings to raise funds for a dignified funeral for Nelukau.
A community member, preferring to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment in the bystanders who witnessed the attack but failed to intervene. He pointed out that Ronewa had suffered severe abuse in plain sight, yet bystanders chose not to help her despite her cries for assistance. "Here we have a man who commits a heinous crime and seeks help from traditional healers before surrendering to the authorities, yet people stand idle ... Our society is ailing, and this is a tragic situation," he lamented.
Vhembe SAPS's acting spokesperson, Sergeant Vuledzani Dathi, confirmed the incident and said that a 28-year-old man had been arrested and was set to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court, facing a murder charge.