The traditional leader of Dzimauli Haramuvhundu and Muledane villages in Harambuda, Vhamusanda Vho Matshidze Ndondeni Ramuvhundu, has strongly condemned all forms of violence, especially against women and children. This follows the stabbing of a young woman from the area in what appears to be another incident of domestic violence.
The body of a 23-year-old woman was discovered last Friday (12th) in an abandoned house at Dzimauli. She was later identified as Ms Mangalani Tshifularo.
Mr Khiphitheni Tshifularo, the elder brother of the deceased, said she was currently studying at Vhembe TVET College. He described her as a cool and collected person within the family and said her death left a void that would be difficult to fill.
He mentioned that his sister used to be in a relationship with Leonard Nemavheya, and the couple had a child together. They were separated, but Nemavheya would visit his former girlfriend's home when he wanted to see his child.
Vhembe SAPS' acting spokesperson, W/O Vuledzani Dathi, said the police in Mutale had registered a murder case after the body of Ms Mangalani Tshifularo was found with several stab wounds in a street at Dzimauli village. He added that a 27-year-old male suspect, Leonard Nemavheya, had been arrested the same day in connection with the murder after handing himself over at the Mutale Police Station.
Dathi stated that the motive for the killing was not clear at that stage, but domestic violence could not be ruled out. The accused appeared in the Mutale Magistrate's Court on Monday, 15 July, and was not asked to plead. His case was postponed to 29 August, and he remains in custody.
The funeral of Ms Tshifularo will take place at her home village's graveyard in Dzimauli Muledane on Saturday, 20 July.