A cloud of sadness still hangs over the Nzhelele area after an 18-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed and killed by her former boyfriend at Ha-Mavhunga last Wednesday morning.

Rudzani Matshivha was allegedly stabbed numerous times all over her body by her ex-lover, Ndivhuwo Matamela. According to the police report, Matshivha had just broken up with Matamela, who was allegedly refusing to admit that the girl no longer wanted him in her life.

The spokesperson for the Mphephu police, W/O Lazarus Netshidzati, said Miss Matshivha died at the scene of the incident. It happened about 08:00. "According to our preliminary investigation, the suspect dragged Miss Matshivha to his home, where he allegedly stabbed her 37 times all over her body," said Netshidzati.

He added that the suspect tried to hang himself after the incident, but the branch of the tree broke. The police arrested him in the nearby bush at Divhani, while he was trying to run away.

The deceased was a Grade 10 pupil at Tswime Secondary School.  Her grandmother, Ms Annah Ndou, said that the family was unable to accept the loss. "It is really painful. She was still young and did not deserve to die like that," she said.

Granny Ndou added that the family had still expected a lot from Matshivha. "I want to see justice done. Rudzani was very focused on education, and I expected her to complete her studies, so that she could help the family," she added. The deceased's mother was very emotional and severely traumatised by the incident.

Matamela appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate's Court last Thursday and the case was postponed to 14 June. Matshivha will be laid to rest over the weekend.