Alleged Matangari killer arrested

The police in Mutale have made a major breakthrough by arresting a 21-year old man, suspected of killing Tshinakaho Khorommbi.

W/Officer Tshilidzi Nyambeni says they arrested Sello Mbedzi  of Matangari village, following a tip-off from a concerned community member who lives in Gauteng. He was arrested on 18 August by the Klip Town Police and allegedly “confessed to the murder and pointed to the scene of crime.”

He has already appeared before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s court, where his case was postponed to October 29. He is in custody.

According to Nyambeni, Mbedzi is facing charges of murder, theft of R40 and two cell phones, stolen from Sarah Letsoalo’s home, where Khorommbi was working. “One of the phones has already been recovered from the person who bought it. The second phone was sold in Gauteng, and we are still busy tracing it," he added.

Nyambeni says Mbedzi is also facing another case of breaking and entering and theft following an incident that happened at an Indian shop, also at Matangari.

Khorommbi’s murder caused turmoil in Matangari, where the community was accusing Letsoalo of “murdering her for muti purposes.”

Roads were also blocked while Letsoalo’s house was damaged and torched by the protesting community, who were accusing the police of dragging their feet in arresting Letsoalo. As a result, four people were arrested for public violence and one for arson.

Although the community was accusing Letsoalo of killing Khorommbi, the police and her family always maintained that there was no body part missing from the deceased. She was stabbed 30 times during the gruesome murder.

Nyambeni has appealed to the community to be patient with the police while they are doing their work.  “After we arrested Mbedzi, we thought the community would be happy that we were doing our job, but there are some who are still alleging that the suspect was paid by Letsoalo to confess to the crime. This allegation has never been proven and we appeal to the community to remain calm as we are continuing with our work.”

Date:28 August 2013

By: Ndivhuwo Musetha

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