The death of a four-year-old boy, Okonaho Manavhela of Tshimbupfe Ha-Manavhela in Vuwani, has left residents shocked and with many unanswered questions.
The boy, who attended a local crèche, went to sleep on Friday, 7 November, at around 19:00 without showing any signs of illness.
According to the family, the following morning at around 07:00, his mother checked on him and found that he had died. Without reporting the death to the police or village leadership, she carried the boy to his grandfather, who lives nearby.
This has surprised residents, who now suspect there may be more to the child's death. A community leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the circumstances surrounding the death left room for concern and suspicion.
"What we heard is that the mother of the child was seen carrying the dead body of the boy in the morning of Saturday 8 November to her father's home. We visited the family and to our shock, we found out that the boy had a wound on the head and we were left with no option but to involve the police. We are very concerned about this case. It looks like the family is hiding something," he said. Community members now insist the matter be thoroughly investigated by the police.
The boy's grandfather, Mr Nkhelebeni, dismissed the rumour as unfounded.
"What I know is that my daughter brought the dead body to me in the morning saying he was not responding. She told me she went to the local spaza to buy bread and on coming back was told by her other son that the boy was not breathing. I think it was shock and confusion that led her to carrying the body without involving the police. We are left with many unanswered questions, following this death. Maybe those who are saying the boy was killed may have information that could answer our questions," he said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani confirmed that the police in Vuwani are investigating the boy's death. "It is alleged that the boy slept near a burning stove with an open oven for warmth since it was a cold night. The following day, the mother checked on him, only to find that he was no longer responding. When the police arrived at the scene, the child had burn injuries on his buttocks and head. Investigations are continuing," he said.