One of Limpopo‘s senior traditional leaders, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, who has 75 chiefs serving under him, has urged the boiling community of Tswinga outside Thohoyandou to be united and to provide whatever information they might have in connection with the recent and mysterious death of a local man.

Mphaphuli addressed residents during a visit to the area on Sunday. The visit took place at the local traditional leader’s royal palace and came against the backdrop of turmoil in the village that has left many people affected. The turmoil has emanated from the death of a local school boy, who was found hanging in some nearby bushes.

When Avhashoni Mbedzi (18), a Grade 11 pupil at Muvhavha Secondary School, was found, rumours started doing the rounds that he had been ritually murdered. Many who have allegedly been linked to the mysterious death of the local man have had their properties torched and cut off from services in the village.

The aftermath of the upheaval also left many in the community arrested.

Mphaphuli was well received by the community members, who expressed the hope that all their challenges would be ironed out, so that they continue with their lives in a peaceful way. Addressing the residents, Mphaphuli said he had noted their concerns but had found two issues central to the unhappiness in the area: that of the local traditional leader who is alleged to be selling sites in a corrupt manner and inefficient governance.

He said he summoned the chief and confronted him about the allegations, which he denied. “I have rebuked and cautioned him that if what I am hearing is true, he should stop it right away."

He also touched on the burning issue of the killed boy which he said was troubling him as well. “I visited the police with a view to finding out what exactly was happening with the case, and I was shown post-mortem results and made to understand that nothing was missing when the boy was found. I now urge and challenge anyone of you who might have information about this death to come forward and assist the police, so that the perpetrators can be brought to book,” he added.

After the address, many showed discontent and said there were many things which they had complained about which had not been addressed. It was decided that a follow-up meeting would be held, where all stakeholders would be present who would attend to the residents’ challenges.