THE family of an 86-year-old granny, whose decomposed body was found between Dinga and Mphambo villages in Thulamela, Limpopo, believes she was murdered.

Njhakanjhaka Mamayila Nkwinika disappeared on January 5 after she went to the bush to fetch firewood. The family later found the wheelbarrow with the firewood.

Her body was found by herd boys on Saturday morning after residents had searched for nine days.

The woman's son, Ben Nkwinika, said the family believed she was murdered. Though the body was decomposed it appears that her breasts were removed and her eyes gouged out, Nkwinika said.

He said after her disappearance three family members came to the house looking for her traditional clothes and claimed she was not dead. He said they also claimed they knew where she was.

"They were later questioned by the police and released without being charged," Nkwinika said.

Local traditional leader Johannes Manganyi confirmed that the community had searched for the old woman for some days.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alson Mapindani confirmed that the body of the old woman had been found by herd boys.