LIMPOPO – It has been three long and painful years since the nine-year-old Fiona Matodzi vanished while walking home from Dzindi Primary School in Itsani village, near Thohoyandou.
Despite countless efforts by her family and the community, her whereabouts remain unknown, and questions surrounding the progress of her case persist.
Last Monday, hundreds of people joined the Economic Liberation Forum South Africa (ELF SA) in a peace march from Thavhani Mall to the Thohoyandou Police Station to hand over a memorandum of demands.
Led by ELF SA president Hulisani Mani, the march included community members from surrounding villages and was supported by local artists such as King of Venrap Mizo Phyll, Amapiano artist Mickey Black, JR Player, and comedian Vhudzi Li MC, who is also Fiona’s uncle.
Fiona disappeared on August 11, 2022, just a few metres from home. In September 2023, her belongings – including her school shoes, books, and bag – were found near the Gologodo River in Tshivhuyuni village. DNA samples were taken, but her family says they are still waiting for the results and for consistent communication from the authorities.
Mani expressed deep frustration over the handling of the case, saying the family had to personally reach out to the investigating officer to enquire about the case’s status.
“We firmly believe that this case has not received the critical attention necessary for a just resolution. We request that the case be reassigned to a capable detective committed to pursuing justice,” he said.
He also raised concerns about a broader issue plaguing the region: the disturbing number of child abductions and suspected ritual-related disappearances in the Vhembe district.
Mani called on the Hawks and the Minister in the Presidency to deploy specialised investigation teams and intelligence units to not only solve Fiona’s case but to tackle the wider crisis.
Fiona’s mother, Tshilidzi Matodzi, shared her heartbreak with CV.
“She didn’t come home from school that day and hasn’t since. I’ve done all I can to find her, including contacting police and speaking on radio but still, nothing. In 2023, they found her belongings and collected my DNA, but I haven’t received any updates. I was even arrested when I tried looking for my daughter, accused of causing chaos in the community.”
Colonel Nnditsheni Jaffrey Ramatsitsi of the Thohoyandou Police Station received the memorandum and acknowledged the public’s concern.
“Fiona’s case, along with others, has been escalated to the provincial office,” he said. “We are parents too, and we understand the pain. The lack of capacity at our station has led to the involvement of specialist officers. We are committed to ensuring justice is served, not just for Fiona, but for all missing children in our area.”
Anyone with information regarding Fiona Matodzi’s disappearance is urged to contact the Thohoyandou Police Station.
