ADVERTISEMENT:

 
 

Traditional leader Nelson Mulaudzi.

Respected leader accused of murder

 

The alleged killing of a 23-year-old man of Lwamondo outside Thohoyandou, whose body was found hanging at the back of a local traditional leader’s house, took yet another turn when four men were arrested for the victim's murder and kidnapping.

The men were arrested this week after intensive police investigations. They are Nathinel Mayise (32), traditional leader Nelson Mulaudzi (63), Nkhumeleni Tambani (39), and Johannes Matamela (50). They stand accused of being behind the death of Dakalo Bulannga of Lwamondo Khumbe. 

They appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Courts on Tuesday for a bail application. They all testified, but the presiding officer postponed the case to today (Friday) saying he wanted time to study the evidence.

All four have indicated to the court that they would not plead guilty but would not give reasons, saying they would do that during the trial. In their application, they indicated that they were not flight risks and would abide by the conditions of the court if granted bail. They also indicated that all their belongings, including houses, passports and identification cards, had been destroyed by angry residents and that they were only left with the clothing they were wearing.

During cross-examination, Chief Nelson Mulaudzi caused a stir when he told the court that the people in court were there to support him. The audience answered in unison, saying the opposite.

The presiding officer had to call them to order by threatening to evict them, should they continue misbehaving.

Bulannga went missing nearly a month ago after he was taken away by "crime busters" in the village after he was accused of theft of a cell phone and other items belonging to a local man. He was brought back home to retrieve the phone and the crime busters left with him and he was never seen again. The incident happened on 2 July.

His body was recovered on the 14th, almost two weeks after his disappearance. He was found hanging and in an advance state of decomposition at the back of the house belonging to the local traditional leader.

His killing sparked a violent protest, which left a trail of destruction in its wake and five houses, including that of Chief Nelson Mulaudzi, burnt down. Bulannga was buried last Sunday.

Meanwhile, incidents of mob justice are becoming the order of the day in Limpopo. Last year, a man alleged to be a notorious criminal was burnt alive after being attacked by angry residents at Tshakhuma. Last weekend, three men suspected of being criminals were attacked by angry villagers at Makhuvha village. They were burnt and two are believed to have died as a result of their injuries, while another was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

 

  

 

Dakalo Bulannga.

 

Date:31 July 2015

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

Read: 6975

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

ADVERTISEMENT:

ADVERTISEMENT:

 

Recent Articles

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Popular Articles