Bulelwa Hoala

- Four men have been arrested for the murder of a 34-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter, reported missing in Thohoyandou in May 2025.
- A 55-year-old man and a 38-year-old traditional healer were arrested after police found the victims’ decapitated bodies and recovered their heads at Muraga village.
- Two suspects have appeared in court, while the healer faces additional charges for possession of human tissue; investigations are ongoing.
Four male suspects have been arrested for the murder of a woman (34) and her 2-year-old daughter, who were both reported missing in Thohoyandou in May 2025.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Friday, 1 August, arrested a 55-year-old male suspect at Hlabeni Block F and a 38-year-old traditional healer who was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims at Muraga village.
This comes after the police discovered the decapitated bodies of the mother and child on Wednesday, 30 July, leading to the arrests of two suspects who are linked to the incident.
“Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32), appeared in Thohoyandou Magistrate court on Friday 01 August 2025 they were remaded in custody and the matter was postponed for further investigation to Tuesday 12 August 2025.
“Meanwhile a 55-year-old suspect together with a 38 year-old Traditional Healer will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate court on Monday 04 August 2025 facing a charge of murder,” the SAPS statement read.
A charge of possession of human tissue will be added against the 38-year-old traditional healer while the police investigations continue.
READ NEXT: PICS: Mpura’s tombstone gets a makeover



