Chaos and mayhem reigned supreme at Tshisahulu village this week.

The village outside Thohoyandou has been the scene of many murders and many criminal activities over the years. Many of these cases are still outstanding and are unresolved, with no suspects arrested.

Only last week, another resident was killed when she was surprised by an unknown intruder while at home in the village. Ethel Nematswerani (27), who leaves behind two small children, was buried over the weekend. Her killers have not been arrested yet.

Her death sparked an outcry in the community, with many blaming the police for dragging their feet in arresting the perpetrators in the case as well as previous ones. At the weekend, the whole village converged at the local traditional leader's palace.

During the meeting, residents expressed their dissatisfaction about the way cases in the area are being handled. The traditional leader, Chief Thivhulawi Makumbane, called for calm, but before the meeting could be closed officially, angry residents went on the rampage, blockading roads with big rocks, pieces of scrap and branches of trees. They proceeded to the main Thohoyandou-Makhado (Louis Trichardt) road at the Tshililo intersection, where they barricaded the road and had a standoff with the police for the whole of Sunday. Traffic had to be diverted.

The police were forced to use rubber bullets and teargas as the situation got out of hand. During the confrontation, another group went to Mapate, where houses and cars belonging to suspected killers were set alight.

On Tuesday, pupils from the local schools joined the protest. At some stage, the road was completely closed for traffic.

Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo confirmed that the situation had been volatile over the weekend and on Monday. He said three houses and two cars had been burnt at Mapate.

"We are concerned about the spiralling violence in the area. We cannot just arrest people without evidence. We are now making an appeal for any person who might have information about the killing of the woman to come forth as that would assist us in cracking the case," said Malelo.

Malelo added that the police had already arrested 26 people in connection with the public violence and “we cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests.” He said they are also worried that those arrested were mostly pupils, whose future would be jeopardised, should they be convicted.

Reports of similar violence were also received from several  parts of Vhembe, including Matangari, Mashau and Mapate.