Police condemn violent protests following the disappearance of a 26-year-old man

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba condemns the actions of community members at Tshitavha village in the Makuya policing area outside Thohoyandou, for engaging in violent protests and blocking the public roads following the disappearance of a 26-year-old man, Netshilavulu Phathutshedzo, who went missing on Friday 21 August 2020 at about 16h00.
The matter was reported at Makuya police station on Saturday 22 August 2020 and the police immediately started with initial investigations. On Monday 24 August 2020, a team comprising the local police, Dog Unit (K9) and the community combed the area around the nearby mountains and rivulets with no success. A police helicopter was also summoned to assist in the search but the missing man could not be located.
In the midst of the search, some community members decided to block the road with stones and burning tree branches, thereby hampering the efforts to locate the missing man. The police had to deal with the clearing of the road for two consecutive days, from Wednesday night as well as Thursday night. Public Order Police members had to be deployed in the area to quell and monitor the situation.
Three suspects aged between 22 and 31, were subsequently arrested last night and will appear in Thohoyandou magistrate court on Monday 31 August 2020 on charges of Public Violence. More arrests are expected.
The man reportedly went missing after telling the mother he was going to the shop and never returned. He was wearing blue UZZI tracksuit top with red dots in front and cream white bermuda. He is tall and dark in complexion having medium hair, two upper front teeth missing.
We call on community members to desist from engaging in public violence and assist the police in searching for the man. Anyone with information may contact Warrant Officer Nndanganeni Maginya on 082 414 5654 or the Crime stop number 0860010111.

Source: South African Police Service

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