The family of well-known traditional circumcision surgeon Mashudu Mugwedi (33), from Muraga village outside Thohoyandou, is refusing to accept that his death was a suicide, insisting there are troubling signs pointing to possible foul play.
Mugwedi, whose initiation schools served communities as far as Malamulele, went missing under mysterious circumstances on 6 April. Despite a search by relatives and community members, no trace of him was found until a discovery was made eight days later. A body matching his description was found hanging from a tree on a local farm on Monday, 14 April, at around 11:00.
The body was taken for a post-mortem examination, which confirmed it was Mugwedi.
His sister, Fhumulani Mugwedi, said the family had initially identified him at the scene but waited for official confirmation before proceeding with funeral arrangements. “We can confirm it is my brother who was found on the farm,” she said.
The family remains adamant that Mugwedi did not take his own life. “On the day he disappeared, we had supper together at my home. He was his usual self, happy and relaxed. There was nothing that suggested he was troubled,” said Fhumulani.
She added that several aspects of the scene raised serious questions.
“He was found in his underwear with no shoes. We do not understand how he ended up high up in that tree. The wire used was twisted many times. Even more puzzling is that his trousers and keys were only found at the scene a day later.”
Fhumulani said the family is struggling to accept her brother’s death.
“We are heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with his death. The pain cuts very deep. He was everything to us,” she said, and expressed gratitude for the support the family has received, particularly from local traditional leader Vhamusanda Vho Ntikedzeni Muraga Mphaphuli, who has been present since the incident unfolded.
“We are placing our trust in the police to investigate thoroughly and uncover the truth,” she added.
Mphaphuli also expressed shock at the incident.
“We are in deep shock. There are many unanswered questions surrounding this incident. Our hope is that the police will conduct a thorough investigation so that the family and the community can find closure,” he said.
The late Mashudu Mugwedi will be buried at Muraga graveyard on Saturday, 25 April.