Four suspects in the murder of Tivani Maluleke will remain in custody after their case was postponed to 14 April for a Schedule 6 bail application. The accused appeared in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 7 April.
The suspects are Wanga Fakantsimbi (20) and Dakalo Raliwedzha (20), as well as a 17-year-old minor who cannot be named. All three are charged with murder. Mukondeleli Portia Sithagu (49), the mother of one of the suspects, is charged with defeating the ends of justice. She is expected to appear in court again on 13 April.
Prosecutors indicated that the matter falls under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act, meaning the accused must prove exceptional circumstances to be granted bail. The arrests were made on Thursday, 2 April, following the killing of Maluleke (41) in Mahonisi village, near Elim, on 7 February.
The arrests followed the tracing of the victim’s cellphone, which led investigators to the suspects. Sithagu was later arrested after allegedly burning a cellphone believed to belong to the deceased.
Vhembe police spokesperson Captain Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Maluleke, originally from Mbokota village, was renting in Mahonisi at the time of his death and worked at Rivoni School for the Blind. His body was discovered in the early hours of 7 February.
The case has drawn community attention, particularly after police confirmed that two of the suspects had previously been arrested in connection with another murder case. Maluleke’s family said the arrests have brought some relief, but they are still seeking answers.
“The pain is still there. We have many questions about what happened to him,” said his younger brother, Lucky Maluleke.
The case will resume next week for the bail application.