Media Statement from Limpopo Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

19 May 2014

POLOKWANE - Six suspects, two women and four men have been arrested for the gruesome killing of 52 year old Catherina Nkovani from Thomo Village at Giyani last month.

Nkovani was allegedly killed on Freedom Day after the funeral of her sister in law whom the suspects have accused she bewitched. The sister in law, Phindile Ngovani, was sick for quite some time before she died earlier in April. Following her funeral, members of the community, including the husband of the deceased, accused Nkovani of bewitching the deceased.

Nkovani was attacked and assaulted just after the funeral - a few metres away from the cemetery - with an assortment of objects before she was set alight. The police and emergency services were summoned however she died a day later as a result of the injuries she sustained, in the Khesani Hospital.

Following investigations, six suspects aged between 37 and 27 were arrested during the past few days. Two were arrested in Polokwane and the others in and around Giyani. They are due to appear in the Giyani Magistrates' Court today, 19 May 2014 on charges of public violence and murder. All the suspects are believed to be relatives of Nkovani. Investigations continue and more arrests are expected.

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Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi
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