The two suspects who were arrested for allegedly killing an elderly woman appeared in the Tiyani Magistrate court last Tuesday on a charge of murder. They allegedly killed the gogo in a witchcraft-related murder.
The incident happened almost two weeks ago at Rotterdam. Three men allegedly murdered a pensioner, Ms Mijaji Mkhari (82), and set her body alight. "It is alleged that the suspects took the deceased forcefully from her house to another house in Rotterdam village and killed her," said Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the SAPS spokesperson in the area. He said the motive for the murder may be related to witchcraft.
Shortly after the incident, word spread like wildfire in the local community that a gogo had been killed. Residents from Rotterdam and their neighbours gathered and decided to hunt for the suspects. Community members apparently came across a suspect, who was hiding in thick bushes. He was not given an opportunity to explain his presence and the angry mob started attacking him with every weapon that they could lay their hands on. The suspect was taken to the local cemetery where his body was set alight.
Shortly after the incident, the police managed to arrest two more suspects in the Hlanganani area. The two suspects, Isando Rivimbi (29) and Kulani Bvuma, appeared in the Tiyani Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and the cases were postponed to 25 July for a bail application.