Traditional leader's aide gunned down

The Lithole family and communities of Tshitereke Thondoni were left speechless after the chief's trusted aide, Vhakoma Ndwakhulu Lithole, was found dead in his house with bullet wounds all over his body.

The police in Thohoyandou are investigating a case of murder. According to Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, an unknown male allegedly broke into the 63-year-old Vhakoma’s home in the early hours of Thursday, 18 January, while he was sleeping and fired several shots at him before fleeing the scene. “The woman who was in the same room with the old man survived without any injuries. She immediately summoned the police, who arrived with emergency personnel. The victim was certified dead at the scene,” said Ledwaba.

At the time of our going to press, no arrests had been made yet. Police investigations are still underway.

The acting provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen Jan Scheepers, has condemned the murder and instructed a team of investigators to track down the suspects and bring them to book. “These ruthless killers who target the defenceless should be hunted and captured to face the full might of the law,” said Scheepers.

The family spokesperson, Mr Gideon Lithole, said they were still numb with shock about the murder. “Vhakoma Lithole was a people’s person. We never heard about any fights he might have had with anybody in the village until we were informed that he was gunned down in his house. He was a trusted chief’s aid who used to go around the village to help the chief resolve disputes in the village. We are completely taken by surprise that he was murdered.”

Gideon said Lithole took up farming when he retired in 2003 from the Madzivhandila Agricultural College, where he worked as an agricultural officer.

One of the villagers, Mr Mphathiseni Nemadzivhanani, said he had learnt a lot from Vhakoma Lithole, who had taught them how to handle problems in the village without taking sides.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect should contact the investigating officer, Lt-Col Mphaphuli Ndileni on 082 959 7705, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, the nearest police station, or visit the MySAPSAPP.

Date:26 January 2024

By: Silas Nduvheni

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