Residents claim siblings were shot as a result of water shortage

Some residents of Matswale township in Musina staged a brief protest on 24 September, instead of celebrating Heritage Day, following the shooting of two siblings just before midnight on Monday.

Limpopo Mirror contacted one of the parents, but she stated that the police had instructed her not to speak to the media. According to some residents, the siblings were returning home after fetching water late at night, some distance from their house.

Police reports indicate that, on 23 September, the two victims, aged 23 and 14, were at their residence when an unknown male suspect emerged. The victims ran inside the shack, but the suspect fired one shot through the door, hitting the brother in the stomach, with the bullet subsequently striking the sister in the back. The suspect then fired again through the roof of the shack and fled the scene.

The victims were rushed to a local medical facility for treatment and are currently in critical condition.

Residents of Musina have reportedly not received a consistent water supply for some time, prompting them to venture out at night in search of water. According to Matswale residents, water is sometimes available only at night, leaving them no choice but to brave the dark to access it.

Speaking to the Limpopo Mirror, Binky Sefake, managing director of the Mantombazana Foundation, expressed sorrow over the shooting of the siblings. “No one, irrespective of age, should be forced to go out at night to fetch water as this is risky. The children had no choice but to brave the night to fetch water, having gone for long hours without it,” she said.

The foundation is now planning to engage the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), the water authority.

In response to the newspaper’s media inquiry, VDM stated that it had appointed a service provider to drill additional boreholes in Musina to supplement the existing ones and had also tested non-functional boreholes. “To date, VDM has managed to equip two boreholes, and the team will continue to equip more,” said Matodzi Ralushai, VDM spokesperson.

He promised that VDM would investigate the matter and provide support for the victims of the shooting. “There is no evidence proving that the shooting was related to the water shortage, but it must be noted that the municipality fully supports any family that loses a life within the district,” Ralushai said.

Following the shooting incident, social media was abuzz with angry messages accusing VDM of failing to provide a consistent water supply to Musina. Some of the messages read: “When we speak out, we are met with violence and ordered to be silent, ultimately leading to our children suffering. But in 2026, we will rise and change our fate.” and “VDM is aware of our concerns, but they ignore them,” and “All Musina structures need to approach the municipality management, including the mayor himself. They must know that the blood of innocent, vulnerable citizens is on their hands.”

Meanwhile, the suspects remain at large.

Date:27 September 2024

By: Bernard Chiguvare

Bernard Chiguvare is a Zimbabwean-born journalist. He writes mainly for the online publication, Groundup.

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