A well-known traditional leader, Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, called on all communities to help stop the spate of senseless killings that had become like a plague in his area of jurisdiction.

Tshivhase, who is also the Contralesa chairperson in the Vhembe region, was reacting after the recent killing of four members of the Kharivhe family at Mukula a fortnight ago. The four were bludgeoned to death with a spade.

In an interview with Mirror this week, Tshivhase said killings had become like a plague in his area and were a source of concern to the whole nation. "The senseless killings which left the community in shock should not have happened in the first place, had we stuck to our culture," he said. "It is surprising to see that family killings and violence towards women and children is on the increase these days when we have structures that deal specifically with family problems. Our forefathers had differences but they always had ways to solve them without the unnecessary shedding of blood. Let us do something about it before many lives are wasted," he said.

He said it was painful to see so many promising lives being wasted on a daily basis. "The youth we are burying every day are the future of our country. Let us put all our weight behind the preservation of these fragile lives for the sake of our country," he said.

He called on all structures that purport to fight for the rights of the abused not to wait until crimes are committed in order to intervene, but to avail their services to the community at all times. He said the issue of observing the 16 days against the abuse of women and children should no longer be confined to a specific period only, but should be all year round and should be engraved in every man’s heart. "Let all men utilize their energy towards development rather than vent their anger and frustration on innocent women and children. Draw battle lines against the spread of HIV/Aids in our communities," he said.

Tshivhase said problems and challenges will always be there in families, but people should look for better ways of resolving them. "Look at our forefathers. They had problems but through relatives, friends and other stakeholders, they managed to overcome them and live longer. Let us do the same and all will be well with us," he said.

He ended by calling on all members of the community to seek help from friends, relatives, organizations like the police forums, Munna Ndi Nnyi, Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme, social workers, pastors and traditional leaders who are more than ready to can assist in times they have problems. "Guns, knives and other forms of violence are no solutions to our problems," he concluded.