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Limpopo village in shock after headman murdered during home robbery
A village shaken by violence
In the quiet of Mathukhumela Village, news travels fast. By Monday evening, word had spread that the community’s headman, a man many locals had known their entire lives, had been killed inside his own home.
Police in Limpopo have confirmed that a manhunt is underway following the brutal murder of 74-year-old Mr Ntshweng Joseph Ramphisa, a long-serving and widely respected traditional leader in the area. The attack took place at around 6pm on Monday, 2 February, turning an ordinary early evening into a moment that has left the village reeling.
What police found at the scene
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, officers were called to a residence after reports of a violent attack. When they arrived, they found Ramphisa inside the house, tied up and lying in a pool of blood with multiple open wounds. Paramedics certified him dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the killing happened during a robbery. Several rooms in the house were later found ransacked, suggesting the attackers were searching for valuables.
A terrifying encounter for a family member
Details emerging from the investigation paint a disturbing picture of what unfolded. Police say a relative of the headman was returning home when she noticed a white bakkie parked near the gate. She then saw a man leaving the house carrying a television.
When she went inside, she discovered Ramphisa bound and bleeding. Moments later, another suspect allegedly restrained her. Police say both suspects then continued to assault the elderly man with a sharp object before fleeing the scene.
The woman managed to seek help from community members after the suspects escaped.
More than a crime scene
In villages like Mathukhumela, a headman is not just a title. These leaders often act as mediators, advisers, and custodians of local tradition. Ramphisa’s death has therefore been felt far beyond his family, with residents expressing shock and anger at the level of violence involved.
While police have not released details about possible motives beyond robbery, the brutality of the attack has reignited conversations about safety in rural communities, where elderly residents are often targeted because they are perceived as vulnerable.
Police appeal for information
A case of murder and robbery has been opened, and the suspects remain at large. Police are urging anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Community members and the public can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Mohlophi Nchetseng, on 082 080 7201. Tips can also be shared via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, at the nearest police station, or anonymously through the MySAPS App.
As the search continues, Mathukhumela Village is left mourning a leader whose life ended violently in the place where he should have been safest.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
