Sources mobilised to intensify search for missing Vhembe girls

LIMPOPO – Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe has ordered the mobilisation of sources to intensify the search for three girls who went missing from various areas in Vhembe in the last few weeks.

Rudzani Muhanelwa (8) of Mavhunga RDP went missing on August 5 after going to a spaza shop.

Read more: Limpopo girl (8) missing after being sent to spaza shop

A Gr 4 learner from Dzindi Primary School, Mpfunzeni Fiona Matodzi (9) of Itsani reportedly went missing after she never arrived home from school on August 11. She was last seen wearing her school uniform and black shoes.

The 14-year-old Mudzuli Tshilongo from Tshitomboni disappeared on August 9.

According to information from villagers, she was seen getting into a vehicle to never return home.

By August 12, residents of Itsani, Tshisaulu and Shayandima had had enough and went on the rampage in protest of these apparent abductions, closing the R524 to Thohoyandou.

In an attack, two men died at Nzhelele, Siloam on August 17 after they are said to have forced a girl into a vehicle at Mphephu plaza.

The community, with the help of a taxi driver, chased down the car which then overturned. Two of three men burned to death while the other was assaulted.

A search operation for the girls by the local police, the K9 unit and community members was set in motion, Hadebe confirmed.

“All relevant resources and members will be deployed to assist in the search operation,” the police commissioner said.

Hadebe called on various police departments to assist in the search for the young girls. She condemned the communities where mob justice is the order of the day.

“Let us not practise vigilantism, but instead work with the police to bring the suspects to book so that they can face the law.”

If you have any information, contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, report to your nearest police station or make use of the MySAPS App.