Chief’s aide gunned down at home
A villager, Mphathiseni Nemadzivhanani, said he has learnt a lot from Vhakoma Lithole about dealing with disputes in a way to not take sides.
LIMPOPO – The Lithole family and the communities in Tshitereke Thondoni are still coming to terms after the news that a trusted chief’s aide (petty headman), Vhakoma Nndwakhulu Lithole (63) was found dead in his house with a gunshot wound.
Family spokesperson Gideon Lithole said they are still dealing with the aftermath of the murder of their family member, someone whom he described as a “trusted person in the village, who used to help resolve disputes among villagers”.
“Vhakoma was a people’s person. He never fought with anyone in the village so it was quite a shock when we heard that he was gunned down in his house. He was a trusted chief’s aide. We hope that the police will track down the killer.”
According to Lithole, Vhakoma Nndwakhulu Lithole used to involve himself in farming since his retirement from his work as agricultural officer at the Madzivhandila Agricultural College in 2023.
A villager, Mphathiseni Nemadzivhanani, said he has learnt a lot from Vhakoma Lithole about dealing with disputes in a way to not take sides.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the police in Thohoyandou are investigating a murder, after a 63-year-old male pensioner was fatally shot while asleep in his house in Tshitereke Thondoni, in the early hours of Thursday, January 18.
“It is alleged that an unknown man intruded and fired several shots at the man before fleeing the scene. The victim had several gunshot wounds,” he said.
He confirmed that a woman, who was in the same room as the victim, survived the attack without any injuries.
“She immediately summoned the police who upon their arrival, together with emergency personnel, certified the man dead..”
Acting provincial police commissioner Maj Genl Jan Scheepers condemned the attack and instructed a team of investigators to track down the suspects and bring them to book.
“These ruthless killers who target the defenseless should be hunted down and captured so they can face the full might of the law,” concluded Scheepers.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects should contact investigating officer Lt Col Mphaphuli Ndileni at 082 959 7705, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, their nearest police station or the MySAPS app.
