Two suspects, aged 43 and 32, have been arrested by the police in Limpopo for the brutal murder of a mother aged 34 and her two-year-old daughter.
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.
Provincial police commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe
Police said the 35-year-old man drove over his ex-girlfriend and her baby, killing the child.
“According to information, the female victim was with her child alongside the road, at around 8 pm, waiting for a taxi to Segopye village, when the suspect, who is her ex-boyfriend, came and started to have a heated argument with her,” said Ledwaba.
A taxi arrived, and the woman and her baby boarded the public transport. While on the way, the taxi driver apparently informed the mother that her ex-boyfriend’s van was following the taxi.
“They alighted at Marothi (Makwalaneng) Cross, and her ex-boyfriend, driving the van at a high speed, drove over them, without stopping,” said Ledwaba.
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