POLOKWANE: 28 September 2023 - Police investigations are underway after a murder suspect, allegedly committed suicide in the holding cells at Thohoyandou Police Station on Thursday 28 September 2023. The body of a 27-year-old Richard Azwindini Mamali was found hanging in his cell at about 05h00.The suspect had earlier appeared before Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on two counts of murder. He was apprehended from his hideout in Mahwelereng, Mokopane under Waterberg District on Tuesday 19 September 2023, after he allegedly stabbed and killed his 19-year-old girlfriend at Ha-Magidi villa on Sunday 03 September 2023 at about 22:40, after meeting her on the street.
The deceased, Ridodzula Mudzanani who is from Mbaleni village reportedly shared two kids with suspect.
It is also believed that the suspect was responsible for another brutal murder that occurred a week later in which the body of man was discovered in the area. At the time, Identity Document of the 27-year-old wanted suspect was found next to the deceased giving an impression that he is the one dead and as investigation continued it transpired that the deceased individual had his own ID in the pockets.
Subsequent to extensive investigations, it was revealed that the discovered body was not of the suspect and as such they continued to trace him until his arrest in Mahwelereng. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered that a thorough investigation be conducted to determine circumstances that led to this incident.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate(Ipid) attended the scene and is probing the case. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.