Nearly six months after the murder of an 18-year-old woman, a breakthrough in the investigation has brought renewed hope to a grieving family seeking justice.
A 38-year-old man has appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder after he was allegedly found in possession of a cellphone belonging to slain Phiphidi resident Mulisa Ramunangi.
Khuliso Mafune (38), who was arrested at Miluwani village and is originally from Vhufuli, briefly appeared in court on Thursday, 12 March. The case was postponed to 19 March to allow police to continue investigations and for a possible bail application. The accused remains in custody.
Police said Mafune was found with Ramunangi’s cellphone. Her death in September last year sent shockwaves through communities in the region. She was found dead in the Mvudi River on 20 September, after she had gone missing on 13 September.
Ramunangi had told her family she was travelling to attend a music festival at Nandoni Dam. She was last seen boarding a taxi to Thohoyandou. When she failed to return home later that evening, her family began searching for her before reporting her missing to police.
About a week later, the search ended in tragedy when a passer-by spotted a body in the Mvudi River, more than 30km from her home. Police later confirmed it was Ramunangi.
Reports at the time indicated that she had sustained severe injuries, suggesting she may have been attacked before her body was dumped in the river.
Her uncle, Mr Lutendo Ramunangi, said the family had found some relief following the arrest.
“It was not easy waiting for such a long time, but we are relieved that someone has finally been arrested,” he said. “Things are now looking promising and we are hopeful that justice will be served.”
He added that the family believes the law must take its course, while also calling on the court not to grant the accused bail.
“We lost someone very dear to us, and we are appealing to the government not to grant the suspect bail,” he said.
The family has appealed to anyone with information to assist police so that they can find closure.