The families of two children who vanished without a trace more than three years ago in the Vhembe District say they have lost faith in the South African Police Service (SAPS). They claim that because they are among the "poorest of the poor," the cases have not been properly investigated.
They believe that if they had been wealthy or politically connected, the police would have done more to find the children - possibly even engaging private investigators to assist.
Washu Tshihume disappeared on 24 December 2022 while visiting his paternal grandparents in Lamvi village. Despite week-long search efforts by community members in the area and surrounding villages, the boy was never found.
A year later, Fiona Mufunwaini allegedly went missing in Itsani village.
Speaking to Limpopo Mirror last week, Washu's grandmother, Tshifhiwa Manyatshe, accused the police of indifference towards the poor. "They have not even contacted us about the case for more than a year. But when police officials recently went missing, they deployed all their resources - including a helicopter - to search for them. With us, they only came here to hold meetings, not to search for our missing boy," she said.
The chairperson and founder of the Munna Ndi Nnyi Men's Forum, Bardwell Mufunwaini—who is also Fiona's uncle - said the family had made every effort to assist the police.
"We even gave them the names of people suspected of kidnapping and being involved in the child's disappearance, but they never contacted them," he said.
In a statement issued last week, provincial police spokesperson Brig Thulani Mashaba said that, following Washu's disappearance, a male family member had also vanished and remained at large. He is wanted for questioning.
"There are allegations that the male family member is the one who took the child. The investigation team is still searching for him for questioning," Mashaba said.
On Fiona's case, Mashaba said a witness had reported seeing the child after midnight with three men suspected of being involved in her disappearance. The witness did not know what happened to the girl afterwards.
Mashaba said the three men were questioned by both community members and the police but denied any knowledge of the child, claiming the witness was lying. "An eyewitness was later located in Soweto, Gauteng, and a statement was obtained. He confirmed that he saw the three suspected males with the child," Mashaba said.
He added that the case had been referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further guidance.
Mashaba concluded by saying that the families were being kept informed of developments and that investigations were ongoing.