The community of Mashau-Magweni is still in a state of shock after a well-known 64-year-old resident was killed when a brick toilet collapsed on her last Saturday morning.

The body of Ms Mushaisano Elisa Vhengani, a local fisherwoman and collector of mazhulu (edible ants), was discovered under the rubble at around 09:25 on Monday.

The family's spokesperson and the deceased's daughter, Ms Silvia Vhengani (26), said that Vhengani was last seen at home in the early hours of Saturday morning. “We exchanged greetings and talked a little before she could walk out of the house,” said Silvia, who lived with her mother.

Silvia woke up at around 07:00 and started doing her domestic chores. At around 11:00, she looked around the yard, calling her mother. Then she thought that her mother might have gone to visit a local shebeen.

At some time she noticed that the toilet had collapsed but didn't give the matter much thought.

Vhengani had not returned by sundown. “I went out and asked many people if they had seen her, but they all said no,” she said. “I informed my siblings and relatives that Mother was missing, and reported the matter to the local traditional leader.”

On Monday, Silvia and other family members were at the chief's place to get a progress report on her mother's missing case, when they were informed that a family member had discovered the body of Vhengani amid the rubble at the toilet.

The deceased's oldest daughter, Ms Joyce Ramulifho (47), expressed the family's shock and pain. “We have lost a parent. A mother is very important in every child's life,” Ramulifho said. “We suspect that the recent rains might have loosened up the bricks and that's why they collapsed.”

Vhamusanda Vho-Griffith Mashau sent his condolences to the bereaved family. “We are deeply moved by the death of a community builder, a selfless woman and breadwinner who was mother to many in our village,” Mashau said.

The spokesperson for Levubu police station, W/O Solly Mukhola, confirmed that the police had opened an inquest docket and that the police were investigating.

Vhengani is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. She will be laid to rest at Magweni on Sunday. The service will start at 06:00.