Limpopo – Two Limpopo traditional healers have been charged with murder after being found in possession of body parts.
Police arrested Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32) outside Thohoyandou in Vhembe for allegedly ordering the murder of Rendani Tshigwili, a 34-year-old mother, and her son for muti purposes.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the duo were nabbed last week in connection with the murder of Tshigwili and her toddler.
The two sangomas allegedly collected the victims’ heads and other body parts. Ledwaba said the police moved after tests confirmed that the two heads belonged to Tshigwili and her child, who were reported missing in May this year.
“Our first investigations led to the arrest of Phalanndwa, a resident of Hlabeni Block F, Saselemane who revealed that he killed the mother and her toddler with the help of another traditional healer, Tshivhombedze of Muraga Village for muti purpose. The team of investigators proceeded to the homestead of Tshivhombedze where he showed them where he stored the two heads,” Ledwaba said.
Phalandwa and Tshivhombedze appeared before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Friday, facing a murder charge.
The case was postponed to August 12, 2025, for further investigations. Ledwaba added that the two traditional healers implicated others during their court appearance.
“Before leaving the court room, the two revealed the names of two additional male suspects aged 55 and 38. We have also arrested those additionals,” he said
Ledwaba said the implicated suspects were expected to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on murder charges on Monday, August 4.
He said police investigations were continuing.
