THOHOYANDOU - The police in the Far North have staged a manhunt, after a man allegedly stoned his wife to death at Tshikota a fortnight ago.

Mrs Emily Mulayo Mushayathama (30) went to the nearby bush to fetch firewood with her mother, at Tshikota, outside Makhado.

It is alleged that she left her baby at home and ascended the mountain to fetch firewood.

Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, of the SAPS in Thohoyandou, said that while she was busy collecting the firewood, her husband allegedly emerged, armed with a gun and a knife. He asked his wife where she had left the baby, and without waiting for the answer, the suspect allegedly hit his wife with a stone until she collapsed.

Mrs Mushayathama's mother then rushed into the bush, fearing for her life. The suspect disappeared and has not been seen since. The police know the suspect and are still tracing him.

Captain Ailwei Mushavhanamadi appeals to the community to inform the police if anyone knows the whereabout of the suspect.

* Meanwhile, the police have opened an inquest docket, after the death of a 51-year-old man who was found hanging in the bush at Malale village on Wednesday. "He was reported missing as from Saturday," said Mushavhanamadi.