S/Supt Shiyani Mashaba is the coordinator of the Task Team to look at the 49 unresolved cases of ritual murder in Vhembe. He was officially introduced to the public by the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, Machwene Semenya, at a crime-prevention rally held at Makonde Village last week.

Mashaba has been in the police force for more than 18 years and he says his extensive experience will help him to do the job with expertise.

The zealous Mashaba told Mirror: “My main job will be to connect the people of Vhembe with other investigators at the provincial level. I will also be expected to submit reports to the higher authorities on new information in connection with the cases. I am readily available for everyone because it is my task to make sure that everything is going well.”

He encouraged community members to disclose information so that the perpetrators can be brought to book.

“This Task Team belongs to all of us. The police alone cannot win the war against crime. We need to come together and put more effort to win this war. It is only through information revelation that we can make a breakthrough. By not disclosing the information, it means that one is working with the criminals.”

The highly motivated cop said he expects maximum cooperation with members of the community.

“People have been crying about these unresolved cases for a long time. Now that the government has given us the platform to talk, it is very important to use the opportunity profitably. Let us all break the silence about crime and make our country a better place to live.”

Mashaba is based at Vhembe Area Office in Sibasa and he can be contacted at 015 963 8036.