By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE – The brutal murder of 29-year-old Mudzunga Ramalata allegedly by her boyfriend has shocked the community of Hamabila, located near Ngalavhani in the Mutale area.
On Sunday, family, friends, and community members gathered for a heart-wrenching funeral to lay her to rest, marking the tragic end to a life taken too soon.
Mudzunga’s body was discovered in a remote area along the N1 near Kromdraai in the Free State on January 22, 2025. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and her death came after a disturbing disappearance that left her family in agony for over three weeks.
According to family members, the couple had a history of domestic disputes, which had been a cause for concern. Their disappearance on January 17, 2025, initially went unnoticed, but when authorities were alerted to the situation, an investigation quickly unfolded, uncovering chilling details.
The investigation began on January 20, 2025, when Musina police received a tip from a tracking company regarding a white Ford Ranger with Limpopo registration, found parked at a residence in Campbell. The vehicle had been reported missing, along with its owner, a man from Gauteng, under Moroka SAPS. It was revealed that the couple had been last seen together on January 17, 2025, under suspicious circumstances.
Upon arrival at the residence in Campbell, officers discovered that the vehicle had been parked there with permission from its owner. The person in possession of the vehicle explained that the owner had borrowed a significant sum of money and planned to cross into Zimbabwe seeking spiritual help for issues at his workplace. However, the vehicle had been dropped off by the missing man and another male companion on the night of January 17.
Further investigation revealed bloodstains inside the vehicle, as well as a disturbing collection of ammunition and firearms-related items, including two empty rifle cartridges, three empty 9mm pistol cartridges, and a variety of live rounds and pistol magazines. A pair of black gloves was also found inside the vehicle.
The breakthrough came on January 22, 2025, when authorities arrested a 24-year-old suspect believed to be involved in the murder. The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of the morning during an intelligence-driven operation led by Musina Police and the Vala Umgodi MAJOC Roving Team. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of two firearms, including a hunting rifle with ammunition.
The investigation revealed that the woman’s boyfriend, Dakalo Nemangwele (34), had allegedly played a central role in the crime. Nemangwele, who had traveled with Mudzunga, was tracked to the Verkeerdeveli Toll Gate on January 17, 2025.
He was the only one who passed through the toll gate in the same vehicle. Mudzunga’s body was later discovered in Kromdraai, suggesting that she had been left behind while her boyfriend continued his journey.
Mudzunga’s boyfriend, Dakalo Nemangwele, later handed himself over to the police and is facing charges of murder, along with a suspected accomplice. The tragic death has left her family and the community devastated, as they struggle to comprehend the senseless loss of a young life.
At Mudzunga’s emotional funeral, Limpopo’s MEC for Social Development, Mme Florence Radzilani, expressed her condolences and spoke out against the tragic loss.
She was joined by the Thulamela Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Sarah Rambuda, and other local officials, including Cllr Mathukha R, Cllr Mamedzi, and Cllr Muthakhi.
In her speech, MEC Radzilani thanked law enforcement for their swift response in apprehending the suspects involved in the murder. She emphasized that this case sends a strong message to criminals, reaffirming that justice will always prevail and that the law will be upheld. “No matter the circumstances, we will continue to fight for justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves,” she said.
The community of Hamabila and the broader Vhembe District are still reeling from the tragedy, but they have vowed to stand together and support Mudzunga’s family in their time of grief.
