Family still seeks answers in disappearance of Vhembe lecturer
Vhembe lecturer Jimmy Mukwevho vanished in 2022. Despite arrests and confessions, his body remains missing and the family seeks closure.
Quick read
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Lecturer Jimmy Mukwevho disappeared in December 2022 after a suspected hijacking near Ha-Mandiwana.
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Three suspects were arrested and allegedly confessed to his murder, but his body remains missing.
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The family continues to seek closure and has pleaded for help locating his remains.
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LIMPOPO – The family of missing Vhembe TVET College lecturer Jimmy Mukwevho continues to live under a dark cloud more than two years since he was last seen. Mukwevho, who lived in Ha-Mandiwana village in the Nzhelele area, was reportedly hijacked and kidnapped, and has not been seen since December 18, 2022.
His abandoned vehicle was recovered over 120km away in the Vuwani area. Police investigations eventually led to the arrest of three suspects after Mukwevho’s clothes and car were traced to a man in Mashau village. According to police, the suspects – two men and a woman – confessed to murdering Mukwevho and dumping his body in the Luvuvhu River, near Levubu farms.
Despite numerous searches by police, community members and the family, no body has been recovered, and the family remains in agony without closure. “This is the most painful experience we’ve ever endured,” said Mukwevho’s brother, Takalani Mukwevho.
“It is stressful and traumatising. My children come to me asking when their father will be found, but we have no answers. We are hoping, but with each passing day, it gets harder.”
Takalani pleaded for the suspects to reveal where the body was left. “If they truly killed him, we ask them to show us where the body is. We need to give him a dignified burial and finally begin to heal.”
In 2023, Thinandavha Mathisa, Lucas Mukhadi and Gugani Malele were arrested and denied bail. Vhembe SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that the three appeared in the Thohoyandou High Court, sitting at the Waterval Magistrate’s Court on June 23. The outcome of the court proceedings was not known at the time of publication.
The disappearance of Mukwevho sparked anger in the community last year, resulting in protests and shutdowns in his home village.
