Vhembe leaders decry spike unresolved kidnappings cases in Limpopo

Some community leaders and civic organisations in the Vhembe district, Limpopo, are concerned over a number of unresolved kidnapping and missing person cases. They are decrying what they call a “spike of missing person incidents” in the region.

Several cases of kidnapping business people and the disappearance of children and women have been reported.

In August two years ago, Rudzani Muhanelwa from Mavhunga Village near Louis Trichardt disappeared. She was on her way to a local store. An extensive search by the community and police for the then-8-year-old was futile.

Although four accused, including her own father, were arrested, Rudzani Muhanelwa is still missing. A member of SANCO, Mavis Ratisani and the community leader Patrick Nengovhela have called on law authorities to accelerate their investigations.

“We are not happy that the child has not been found, even though there have been arrests. It doesn’t sit well with us because there are other kids in this area. It is painful to us, even to the residents. We are going up and down. The court case always gets postponed. But they have evidence. It would be better if they disclosed the evidence. We want the child. We want them to show us where the child is, if she has been killed they should show us where they buried her so that she can get a proper burial. If she is alive they should bring her so that we can see her.”

46-year-old Jimmy Mukwevho was hijacked and kidnapped in January 2023 from his Village, Mandiwana, outside Thohoyandou. His vehicle was recovered a few days after the incident, several kilometres from the scene of the crime.

Mukwevho’s kidnapping enraged community members who shut down services in the village. Police investigations led to the arrest of three men who were Mukwevho’s acquaintances.

Mukwevho family spokesperson, Zachariah Mukwevho, says they still don’t have closure.

“This is the most painful experience we have ever encountered as a family. It is quite stressful and traumatising. We are trying but when it comes to the family… when they try to think of their father and come to me and ask me questions, as to when he will be found or when this matter will be settled. It’s quite stressful.”

Cases of missing persons

Police spokesperson Vuledzani Dathi says they are investigating numerous cases of kidnapping and missing persons.

“Cases of missing persons and kidnapping in the Vhembe district are still a thorn in our flesh as the Vhembe police. But there are some cases where they made progress like the case of Mphephu SAPS which occurred at Mavhunga Village. A seven-year-old girl was allegedly missing in August 2022. We made progress when we arrested three people, that case is currently going to court. But there are still cases that are not yet resolved, like a case where a seven-year-old has been missing in Makuya SAPS in December 2022.”

In a recent case, a businessman was kidnapped from his shop at Mangondi Village outside Thohoyandou. This as the scourge of kidnapping, mostly within the Indian communities, continues in Thohoyandou and surrounding areas.

Numerous cases of kidnapping for ransom have been reported over the last months.