TSHIVHULANA – Two men, aged 48 and 40, were detained for questioning on Saturday in connection with the gruesome death of the 12-year-old Vhulani Chithavhane of Tshivhulana Village. She was reported missing on February 22 this year, and members of her family and concerned residents then embarked on a search for her.

The search came to an end the following day as the girl's body was discovered in a nearby grazing camp. There was a rope around the girl's neck and she also had two axe wounds on the head. According to the spokesperson of the police in the Vhembe Area, Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, a stick was embedded at the back of the girl's body.

The police investigations started and they got a clue relating to the case last week. That resulted in their detaining two men, aged 48 and 40, for questioning last Saturday. "If they are found to be connected to the girl's death, they will be charged with murder," said Mushavhanamadi. The 48-year-old man is, according to the police statement, the deceased's father. Although the man was not staying with the girl, he was maintaining her.

The deceased was a pupil at the Tshivhulana Primary School.

In a separate incident that took place at the Makhuvha Village near Thohoyandou last Friday night, a well-known businessman, Mr Swondaha Wilson Demana (68), was shot and killed by two unknown gunmen at his home.

The incident took place at about 20:45. According to the police statement, the deceased and his wife were busy watching television when the incident took place. According to the police report, two gunmen entered the house and told the deceased that they wanted to discuss sensitive issues with him in private.

The deceased allegedly refused to talk to the gunmen. They then opened fire on him, shooting him in the stomach. He was certified dead on arrival at the Donald Fraser Hospital. The gunmen were still at large at the time of going to press.