Missing girl found raped and murdered

The Tshilwavhusiku police are investigating the murder of an 11-year-old girl, whose body was discovered by passers-by in a maize field in Ramantsha early on Monday morning, 16 September.

The girl was later identified as Adivhaho Mulamavu, a Grade 6 learner at Manau Primary School, who had been reported missing the day before.

Police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said that initial investigations suggested the girl may have been raped before being strangled to death. The police have opened cases of rape and murder. "We are appealing to the community to cooperate with the police, so that the culprit can be apprehended," he said.

The grandmother of the deceased, Ms Anikie Mulamavu, said they were still trying to come to terms with Adivhaho’s death. "The incident has deeply affected us. It will take a long time to recover, but we put our trust in the police. We pray that the suspect will be found, even though we will never get our beloved Adivhaho back," she said.

Ms Mulamavu said that Adivhaho had gone to the village to sell tomatoes on Sunday at around 09:00. When she had not returned by 14:00, the family had started checking with her friends and relatives. It was only on Monday morning that they were informed of her death. "We found her hanging from a rope in the maize field," she said. The bucket of tomatoes was still next to her.

A community member, who asked to remain anonymous, said that villagers suspected a Zimbabwean man might have information regarding the murder as he had been seen walking with the young girl on Sunday.

On Monday morning, shortly after Adivhaho's body was discovered, villagers gathered at the local headman’s kraal to discuss the matter. During the meeting, it was decided that anyone harbouring foreign nationals who are in the country illegally should evict them.

Adivhaho will be buried on Sunday at Ramantsha village.

Date:20 September 2024

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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