Ten-year-old girl dies after being struck by rolling rock

Joy turned to heartbreak on 15 January for the family of 10-year-old Mpho Mabudu, a Grade 5 learner from Midoroni, when she died on the day she was celebrating her birthday. Mpho was playing on a heap of stones with friends when she slipped and was struck by a rolling stone, which caused fatal injuries.

Her family believes the accident was preventable. The stones had been dug out during the construction of a road in Midoroni. “This would not have happened had the stones been collected. We are grieving and want answers and accountability,” said family spokesperson Ralph Mabudu. He blamed the contractor and the Makhado Municipality for the tragedy. “We want them to pay for our child,” he said.

The incident has left residents shocked. A local community leader, who asked to remain anonymous, said the circumstances surrounding Mpho’s death raised concerns and prompted questions about people’s safety in the area.

Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that police had opened an inquest docket into Mpho’s death. He also appealed to parents to take care of their children and to teach them to avoid playing next to roads, streams and rivers alone.

The local traditional leader of Midoroni, Vhakoma Vho Kedibone Foromo, said that to prevent accidents like this, they are engaging with the municipality to have the stones left by the contractor collected.

Mpho’s funeral will be held on Saturday, 24 January, at Midoroni.

Date:23 January 2026

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Read: 885