Yet another brutal attack on an elderly resident has been recorded in the Vhembe district after the decomposed body of 82-year-old Ms Agnes Tshivhula was discovered at Mashau Magweni. She had been missing for nearly a week before her body was found.
According to family members, she had been living with her 24-year-old grandson, who was allegedly addicted to nyaope. Her body was discovered on 8 May in the outside room where he stayed.
The deceased’s daughter, Ms Thandi Tshivhula, said the family became suspicious after her mother had not been seen since 3 May. She explained that relatives regularly checked on her and spoke to her daily.
“One of our relatives went to collect a funeral policy book from the house on 5 May, and asked the suspect where granny was. He said she was not around. On 6 May, another relative also went looking for her, but he again claimed she had gone out,” she said.
Thandi added that on Friday, 8 May, she sent a friend to check on her mother after calls to her cellphone went unanswered.
“When her friend arrived, she found the suspect acting arrogantly. She called us, and we went to the house with other relatives. They searched the main house but found nothing,” she said.
The family later searched the outside room where the suspect stayed and allegedly found the elderly woman’s decomposed body, with her hands tied and lying in a pool of blood.
After the body was discovered, the suspect reportedly fled. Community members later alerted police after he was seen boarding a taxi, leading to his arrest.
The grieving daughter said the family was devastated.
“We are torn apart by this tragedy … We want justice for our mother,” she said.
Thandi added that the suspect had allegedly caused the family distress for a long time.
“He terrorised family members, and now we have lost our beloved mother because of him. The family is deeply traumatised,” she said.
Ward councillor Sidney Thovhakale also expressed shock.
“As community leaders, we strongly condemn this act. We are also concerned about the impact of drugs on our youth and the role of drug dealers in destroying communities,” he said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson Capt Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident and said a 24-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the murder.
“The suspect, Mutshidzi Ramuthivheli (24), appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 18 May, on a charge of murder. The case was postponed to 28 May, and police investigations are continuing,” said Dathi.
The late Ms Agnes Tshivhula was buried on Saturday, 23 May, at Mashau.