Four arrested after a mother and daughter death in Limpopo

Two suspects, aged 43 and 32, were arrested by the police in Limpopo for the brutal murder of a mother aged 34 and her two-year-old daughter.

According to IOL, a 55-year-old man and a sangoma were also arrested later as they are linked to the case.

The woman and her daughter went missing on 19 May, sparking an extensive investigation by the police at Thohoyandou, Vhembe District, joined by the provincial team of investigators dealing with missing persons’ cases.

“On Wednesday, a task team comprising SAPS Thohoyandou intervention team, Thohoyandou detectives, and provincial missing persons team followed a credible lead which led to the discovery of the body of the mother and her daughter,” said Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, provincial police spokesperson.

“As a result of this gruesome discovery, two suspects were linked to the incident, and were immediately arrested. During the process, it was also discovered that the bodies were without heads.”

Police also established that one of the suspects is alleged to be the boyfriend of the deceased.

“The motive behind this heinous act of crime is still under investigation,” said Ledwaba.

The two arrested suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa, 43, and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze, 32, appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The duo was remanded in custody, and the matter was postponed to Tuesday for further investigations.

Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrests, and she saluted the investigating teams “for their remarkable skill” which resulted in the tracking down of the alleged killers.

The 55-year-old man stated that he was sent by the sangoma, leading to the arrested of two more people over the weekend.