A man allegedly killed his long-time girlfriend during what appears to have been a domestic fight between the couple on Tuesday, 7 February, before hanging himself in a nearby bush.
The deceased woman, Lindelani Mudzanani from Tshikambe village, and her boyfriend, Khuliso Munwana from Tshivhilwi village, had both worked at the Shoprite Warehouse in Centurion for the past four years and shared an outside room at her father's house in Olievenhoutbosch, close to Centurion, where the incident took place.
According to Lindelani's father, Mr Edward Tshilidzi Mudzanani, he had spoken to the couple on the morning of the incident while his daughter was busy washing blankets, and everything seemed to be alright between them. "But shortly after 10:00, I was told that there was trouble in their room. I was shocked when I heard that he was beating her. I ran to their room with one of my sons, who kicked the locked door open. My daughter's lifeless body lay sprawled on top of the bed, covered in blood. There was a big rock and a brick stained with blood next to her head. She also had stab wounds to her body. We later found the blood-stained kitchen knife hidden in the wardrobe. My daughter was killed like a wild animal," said the bereaved father.
After killing Lindelani, Munwana allegedly drove off for about two kilometres, parked his car next to the road and hanged himself in a nearby bushy area.
Mourners from all over the Vhembe District attended Lindelani's funeral service at Tshikambe on Sunday morning (12 February). The deceased's younger sister, Fhumulani Mudzanani, said the death of her sister had left a big gap in her life. "It has been very difficult for me to concentrate on anything since she passed on. I can't even eat. May her soul rest in peace," she said.
Munwana was buried at the same time at his home village of Tshivhilwi, which is just a stone's throw away from Tshikambe village.