The discovery of the body of Ms Annah Mandiwana floating in the Mutshundudi River has left the baffled family with many questions.
Mandiwana, a resident of Ha-Tshifura, went missing on Sunday afternoon. The gruesome discovery was made later that same day at around 18:00, when a young man spotted the body floating in the water. He notified other community members, who in turn called the police.
Divers also arrived at the scene and the body was fished out of the water. News of the discovery of the body spread far and wide, and in a short space of time many curious community members crowded around the scene. The police had to cordon the scene off.
Mandiwana's grief-stricken family, who had been keeping a vigil at the scene, were taken along to the Tshilidzini government mortuary, where they positively identified her.
Circumstances around her death are still very sketchy, but information provided indicates that she left her home, telling her children that she was going for a walk.
Brother of the deceased Mr Tshovhewaho Mandiwana said they were confused and shaken. "We knew she had problems, but she never shared them with us. We did not expect her to die in this terrible manner. She was a very reserved person, and we just wish she had talked to us. Maybe we could have done something to help her," he said.
Mandiwana's funeral will be held at Ha-Tshifura on Friday, 17 September.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the incident. "The cause of her death is still unknown, but all will be revealed by the ongoing police investigation," he said.