Residents of Mashau Thenga are in shock after a 40-year-old woman was allegedly raped and murdered in the village.
The bloodied, half-naked body of Tshilidzi Musida was discovered by passers-by in the early hours of 24 September (Heritage Day). Evidence suggests a struggle took place before she was stabbed repeatedly in the chest and across her body. Community members have expressed horror at the brutality of the attack, with many parents worried about the safety of their children.
Police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that a case of rape and murder had been opened. "Members of our detective unit are conducting an investigation, and we hope to make a breakthrough soon," he said. He urged community members to come forward with information. "Together, we can win the war against crime, so people must share what they know," Dathi added.
The deceased's younger sister, Livhuwani Musida, spoke of the family's grief. "The incident has really affected us. We are still trying to come to terms with Tshilidzi's death. It will take a long time to get over this, but we put our trust in the police. We pray that the suspect will be found, even though we will never get our beloved Tshilidzi back," she said.
Tshilidzi Musida will be buried in Mashau Thenga on Saturday, 5 October. The service will begin at 06:00.