The Limpopo provincial government has started with imbozos to talk to the communities about the 49 unresolved “ritual murder” cases in the Vhembe District.

The MEC for Safety, Security and Laiason, Machwene Semenya, addressed villagers on crime prevention at Makonde, outside Thohoyandou, on Friday. The convening of the rally was meant to provide community members with a platform to demonstrate their commitment to fighting crime and to break the silence on ritual murders.

Makonde village is where the mutilated body of a promising soccer star, Maanda Sendedza, was discovered without private parts and tongue in October last year. His girlfriend, Nyelisani Sidimela, lay besides him with sliced off lips. She is receiving treatment at a Gauteng hospital. Two traditional healers and a bishop of the Holiness Apostolic Church are in custody following their alleged participation in the crime.

Semenya said the government is seriously concerned about the ongoing ritual murder cases in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo province. “We would like to condemn the ongoing ritual killings that are occurring here and in other parts of the province in the strongest terms. We urge you to be part of the solution of putting an end to these evil deeds because we cannot do it alone. We need people to speak out and to reveal information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Some of these people we know; some of them might be your neighbours or members of your families. I urge you to come forward with the information.”

She said people should refrain from the belief that human body parts form part of muti. “Human body parts should never be prescribed as muti. Those people who promise you success through the provision of a body part are misleading you and are just blatant criminals who should be reported to the police. It is your unity and strengths as the people of the province, and Vhembe in particular, that will make criminals realize they do not deserve a place amongst us. The fight against crime can only be won if we do not co-operate with criminals in any way. As a province, we launched the crime-prevention strategy that will make sure that we address all forms of crime from all corners of the province with focus and vigour. I am also pleased to say that we have also completed guidelines for the establishment of Community Safety Forums in all municipalities in the province. This will ensure that municipalities prioritise and involve the community in fighting crime, especially ritual murder.”

Semenya added that the task team to investigate the unresolved ritual murder cases in Vhembe had already started its job. “The Task Team is yours and for it to assist us in ensuring that these cases of ritual murders are solved, we need to cooperate with it and provide information without fear. In the spirit of maintaining hope and growth in our province, let’s join hands and contribute in bringing down the levels of crime in the province and the country as a whole…”

She announced that a call centre has been established to fight against crime. “To improve our own institutional efficiency, we have established a call centre which is now already fully operational. The toll-free number is 0800 54 6767. This number is operational 24 hours and we urge you to make use of it to help in the fight against crime.”

The South African Council of Churches, led by Dean Alunamutwe Rannditsheni, conducted a prayer service to ask God to intervene in the war against ritual murders in Vhembe. The clergymen prayed that all police officials who are directly or indirectly involved in taking bribes in cases involving ritual killings should be exposed and face their deeds. “We want all unattended crimes of ritual murder to be investigated as a matter of urgency. We want the affected families to be comforted and know that God is on their side as He sided with the down-trodden people in history. All ritual murderers should not have peace until they tell their stories on how they killed our people,” said Dean Rannditsheni.