The six-year-old Ompha and her grandmother, Mrs Irene Tshidzumba, who were shot and killed by a former taxi boss, Mr Rodrick Nemakonde, last Friday, were laid to rest at Murunwa Cemetery on Saturday.

The funeral was attended by, amongst others, the MEC for Security and Liaison, Mr Ratshivhanda Ndou, the new Vhembe District Municipality executive mayor, Cllr Philemon Mdaka, and Makhado Mayor Cllr Glory Mashaba.

Mrs Maria Mamedzi of the Progressive Women‘s Movement described August as the worst month for women. "We gathered here today to pay our last respect to two brave females who died an unnecessary death," she said, adding that people should use all the structures at their disposal to get help if they have problems, rather than to shoot and kill innocent people.

The principal of Nyatema primary school where Ompha Tshidzumba was doing her Grade R, described Ompha as a little leader, who was robbed of her future before she could demonstrate her leadership.

Murunwa traditional leader Khosi Radzilani asked the municipality and MEC to speed up the proposal to have a satellite police station in their area. "Last year, in August, we experienced a similar problem where four children were brutal killed at Tshivhililudulu by Mukosi Mulaudzi.

Mr Ratshivhanda Ndou said it was time people said enough is enough and stop unnecessary deaths.