The Makatu family and the community of Shayandima outside Thohoyandou at large were plunged into deep mourning by the mysterious and shocking death of one of the township's most popular hair salon owners, Mukhethwa Makatu (28).
Makatu, who stayed in Shayandima Zone 4, was found dead at a house in Thohoyandou Unit D on Sunday. Makatu was lying on her back in a pool of blood, with a gunshot wound above the left eye. She was partially covered with a blue blanket.
The circumstances leading to her death are still sketchy at this point and subject to police investigations, although speculation is doing the rounds among residents in the community.
The deceased's younger sister, Ms Rendani Makatu, posted some information on her Facebook page. She wrote that Makatu had told her she was going to visit her boyfriend but would not take long. "She told me she would call and that we would later meet in town. After realising that the time we agreed on was long past, I decided to call her, but she did not take my calls. It was only around 17:00 that I received a call informing me of her passing. So far we are still in the dark about the whole incident. What I know is that she was not sick and was murdered," she said.
Makatu's boyfriend was taken in for questioning by the police. He told them that he had left her alone at the house when he had gone to work at around 12:00. When he arrived home later, he was met by the shocking scene and reported it to the police. After the preliminary police investigations were conducted, the boyfriend was charged with Makatu's murder.
Thohoyandou police spokesperson Sergeant Vuledzanu Dathi confirmed the arrest. "He is to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 28 September," he said.
A memorial service will be held in Makatu's honour at her home at Shayandima Zone 4, House 1103 (opposite Shayandima Park) this Saturday, 1 October, starting at 15:30. She will be buried the next day (Sunday, 2 October).