TSHIVHASE - Fifteen more people were arrested at the Tshivhase areas, following the death of a youth leader, Tendani Lukhwareni, about two weeks ago.

Mr Emmanuel Matidze, the Media Liaison Officer for the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison in the province confirmed this on Tuesday morning. Matidze said fifteen people had been arrested between Saturday and Monday this week, which brings the total number of arrested people to 81. Among those arrested is Avhatakali Nethononda, who was arrested last week at the Thohoyandou Regional Court, during a bail application for the first group of youths to be arrested.

The latest arrest also includes the Lukhwareni family's spokesperson, Thivhonali Ralulimi. Although Matidze confirmed Ralulimi's arrest, he said he could not confirm the charges against Ralulimi.

Matidze said 66 people had already appeared while their case was postponed to May 2, (yesterday) with no bail. He said the arrested people, mainly youths, had been charged with murder, arson, public violence and malicious damage to property.

Matidze appealed to community members to submit any information that could help solve the cases and added that people with information should take it to the police, instead of just talking about it at public meetings and other gatherings.

Matidze also revealed that there is a task team, which is busy with the cases of the alleged ritual murders in the Tshivhase areas. He said the government had already approached the Scorpions to help investigate the ritual murder cases in the areas.

At least two people were killed while more than fifteen houses, a cafe and a butchery were set alight since violence erupted, following the death Lukhwareni. A nurse was also injured after police shot rubber bullets at her at the Mukula Clinic.

Safety and Security MEC Dekeledi Magadzi said it was frustrating for police to work on the case while people did not provide information. She said she was also frustrated as a mother to see helpless people losing their lives while property was being damaged. "I have learnt with disgust about the police who arrested people during a peaceful meeting. It should be understood that people are behaving like this because of pain. I am aware that a number of youths have been arrested, but I am appealing to you to be calm," she said.

Although there was no schooling in the area early this week, Matidze said they were happy with the developments, as there was no report of malicious damage to property. "Yes, the situation is not yet calm, but we will be satisfied when everybody goes to school and to work. The police are still monitoring the situation in the area," said Matidze.