The community of Tshiombo village, outside Thohoyandou, say they have had enough of Zimbabwean nationals, following the brutal killing of a young woman and an attack on her mother.

During a tense meeting held at the Chief of Tshiombo's kraal shortly before Christmas 2012, the angry community stated that they wanted all Zimbabwean nationals out of the area. Chief Ratshilumela Tovhowani Mathoho confirmed that the community wanted all Zimbabweans out of the village. Mathoho, however, advised the community to follow the proper channels by writing a letter to the police at Mutale, explaining their decision.

Mutale police spokesperson Tshilidzi Nyambeni confirmed that a Zimbabwean national was recently arrested in connection with the murder of Ms Phuluso Kharivhe (21), and the attack on her mother, Christinah. Nyambeni said the suspect was arrested at Matangari village with the assistance of the Thohoyandou police. The suspect had already appeared in the Mutale Magistrate's Court and the case was postponed.

Phuluso and her mother were attacked on December 9 at about 19:00, while they were walking to their home. According to Christina (48), she was walking with her daughter, Phuluso, and her grandson, Thangano Lifamisa (5), when they saw a man following them with a torch in his hand. Christina, who was carrying her three-month-old grandson, Wangoho, on her back, said the suspect used a rock to hit her on the head before he stabbed Phuluso with a knife.

She said the suspect also stabbed her several times on her back while saying that he wanted a cell-phone “before he would rape me. I told him that would only happen when I was dead. I continued fighting him until Zwidofhelangani Ravhutulu arrived at the scene and the suspect disappeared into the bush," said Christina.

Community members then came and called an ambulance that transported Phluso and Christina to the Donald Frazer hospital, where Phuluso later died.

Phuluso was buried on Saturday morning (15 December) at her home village of Mungindini, during a very emotional ceremony. Her mother also attended the funeral.

Phuluso's father, Gerson Kharivhe, said he was frustrated by the death of his daughter as she had left a baby behind. "No one is working in this family. We all rely on my mother's grant,” he added.