LIMPOPO – The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has condemned the actions of residents in Tshitavha village in the Makuya policing area outside Thohoyandou.
The community resorted to violent protests and blocked roads following the disappearance of 26-year-old, Netshilavulu Phathutshedzo.
In a statement, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo explained that Phathutshedzo went missing on Friday, 21 August after telling his mother he was going to the shop and never returned. ” He was wearing a blue tracksuit top with red dots. He is tall and dark in complexion and has medium long hair and two upper front teeth missing.”
as medium long hair and two upper front teeth missing.”
Mojapelo added that the matter was reported at Makuya police station on Saturday, 22 August and that police began with investigations.
“On Monday, 24 August a team comprising of the local police, K9 Unit and the community combed the area around the nearby mountains and rivulets with no success. A police helicopter was also summoned to assist in the search, but the missing man could not be located.”
Mojapelo said residents then blocked roads with stones and burning tree branches which hampered their efforts in locating Phathutshedzo.
“Police cleared the road for two consecutive days from Wednesday night and Public Order Police had to be deployed in the area to quell and monitor the situation,” Mojapelo added.
Three men, between the ages of 22 and 31 were arrested on Thursday night, 27 August, and will appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 31 August on charges of public violence. Mojapelo added that more arrests are expected.
“We call on communities to desist from engaging in public violence and assist the police in searching for the man. Anyone with information may contact WO Nndanganeni Maginya at 082 414 5654 or the crime stop number at 086 001 0111,” Mojapelo concluded.
