The mutilated body of a suspect, whom the police were searching for in connection with the killing of his ex-girlfriend a week ago, was found in the Thathe Vondo plantation on Friday, 8 September.
The deceased, Azwinndini Richard Mamali (27), was suspected of stabbing and killing Ridodzula Mudzanani (19) to death at Hamagidi village, near Thohoyandou, on the night of 3 September. Mudzanani was with a male friend of hers when they ran into Mamali, with whom she reportedly shared two children. Minutes later, Mudzanani was allegedly heard screaming that she had been stabbed, and Mamali fled the scene. A manhunt was launched by the police for his arrest.
According to Sgt Vuledzani Dathi, acting spokesperson for the SAPS in the Vhembe region, Mamali's body was found in the Thathe Vondo forest. He was lying on his stomach, half naked, with acid burns to his body. Both his wrists were cut open, his head was smashed in with rocks and his buttocks were cut off. Mamali's ID, driver's license, and cigarette lighter were found at the scene and his cellphone was damaged. "He had been shot, as an empty cartridge and percussion cap of a pistol were also found at the scene," said Dathi.
The spokesperson for the Mamali family, Justice Mukwevho, said Mamali's mysterious death had them asking many questions. He said that Mamali had gone into hiding since being accused of killing his ex-girlfriend. "The next thing we heard was that his body was found in the Thathe Vondo plantation. The police in Thohoyandou have already summoned his mother, Ms Vhengani Mamali, and other family members to take DNA samples on Tuesday, 12 September, but we are still worried about how long we will have to wait for the police before we can bury our deceased family member," he said.
Another family member said that Mamali had posted messages on his Facebook page, saying he accepted that he had created a serious problem by killing his girlfriend, that his life was now in danger, and that he should just follow her (deceased girlfriend) (meaning that he should also be dead).
The police are investigating a case of murder.