The police at Madombidzha are continuing to look for the missing Theophilus Tshivhi, who had gone missing in January this year. He disappeared at Maname in Nzhelele and his family is waiting in vain.

It is alleged that traditional healers took him away, and several healers were arrested for abducting the 11-year-old boy, but the case against them was withdrawn, due to a lack of evidence. The latest rumour among residents is that Theophilus was killed and his body thrown into the Mavhandu dam in the Madombidzha area.

Last Friday, police divers looked all over the dam but found nothing. Residents allege that one of the suspects was seen next to the dam two weeks ago, which made them suspect that the boy might have been thrown into the dam. The police, who were accompanied by members of the community, searched everywhere, even in the nearby bushes, but could not find the boy.

Although the boy was not found, residents as well as members of the family still believe that they will find the boy. A prayer session was held last week to pray for the missing boy.

The family said that they wanted the boy, dead or alive. The spokesperson for the Tshilwavhusiku police, Sgt Thilivhali Maloa, said that the police investigation was continuing. "Anyone with information in this regard must feel free to contact the police," she said.

One of the suspects, Mr Johannes Ramaremela, and his wife, Elizabeth, who is a traditional healer, have since been expelled from the village. All the initial suspects have admitted to taking the boy along to Maname, where they had gone to collect traditional herbs and plants. The community is still extremely angry and three weeks ago, Ramaremela's house and a car were set alight.

The community still continues to hold meetings, despite the fact that the boy is nowhere to be found.