A disabled pensioner was killed last Wednesday (25 May) at Ha-Mutsha Thondoni. The deceased was identified as the 80-year-old Mugivhi Winston Mashamba.
The police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, said that a 32-year-old suspect had been arrested in connection with the death of the pensioner.
The suspect, whose mother is reportedly a helper for the old man, arrived at the house and allegedly started hurling insults at the old man and accusing him of witchcraft. He went to the room in which the victim was apparently taking a nap and broke the windows as well as the burglar door.
The suspect allegedly took the lid of an iron pot and started hitting the old man, causing the fatal injuries. Brig Mojapelo said that when the police arrived on the scene, they found the victim lying motionless on the bed. The paramedics were also called, and the victim was certified dead at the scene.
The suspect, Dakalo Mukhathi, appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Friday (27th) and his case was postponed to 6 June for a bail application.
A family spokesperson, Ms Takalani Mutavhatsindi, said that the killing had left them in shock and with broken hearts. "We are greatly saddened. His death has left a void that will not be easy to fill. We are just putting all in the hands of God that He will guide us in this time of need," she said.
A community leader, Mr Saddam Masutha, openly condemned the brutal murder. He hailed the arrest as a breakthrough, not only for the police, but also for the community. According to him, the community is suffering from a scourge of crime.
Mr Mashamba was buried on 1 June at the Muungamunwe graveyard.