LIMPOPO – Angry residents, led by the Zoutpansberg Development Forum (ZCDF), took to the streets on June 30 and marched to the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court to hand over a memorandum of grievances over an unresolved case involving the disappearance and death of a young girl.

The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the police’s failure to make progress in cases where people have been killed without suspects being arrested.

The case that sparked the protest

The victim, 11-year-old Adivhaho Mulamavu, a Grade 6 learner at Munau Primary School, disappeared on September 16, 2024, after going into the village to sell tomatoes.

Her body was later found, and police are investigating her death. The community believes she was raped and strangled.

Residents said the family and members of the community had provided police with the names of people they suspected might have been involved in her disappearance but alleged that no arrests had been made.

Community lose confidence in police

“We are not happy with the way this case is being handled. We demand that the police arrest those responsible and ensure that justice is served,” said ZCDF chairperson Patrick Sikhutshi.

He said the community had lost confidence in the Tshilwavhusiku police.

“As the ZCDF, we are deeply concerned about the level of policing in the Tshilwavhusiku area. Crime continues to rise, while women and children are being killed and raped. We want to see criminals arrested and brought before the courts,” he said.

19-day ultimatum

The ZCDF called on law enforcement and the justice system to provide answers regarding the progress of the investigation.

“We are giving the relevant authorities 19 days to provide a positive response. If nothing happens, we will return and stage another protest,” Sikhutshi warned.

Prosecutor accepts memorandum

Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate prosecutor Phumzile Muneri received the memorandum and promised she would send it to the NPA, adding that they would get an answer within 19 days.