The community of Vondwe, outside Thohoyandou, is in shock following yet another family argument that turned deadly. A 26-year-old man was allegedly killed by his own father.
The incident occurred on Sunday, 15 February, at around 07:00. Details remain sketchy, but sources said the deceased, identified as Emmanuel Ramalata, returned home from a nearby beer garden in the early hours, intoxicated. He allegedly demanded money from his cousin, which escalated into a fight.
The father, who reportedly heard the commotion, went outside to investigate and found the two fighting. Attempting to break up the fight, Emmanuel allegedly tried to stab his father. The father managed to take the knife from his son, but in the process, the son was fatally stabbed.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions from the community, with some blaming the father and others saying he acted in self-defence.
The local traditional leader, Khosi Vho Gumani Rammbuda, said the incident left her with many unanswered questions.
“I know this old man as a loving father to his son. I remember one time, in his old age, he took the pain of accompanying his son to our royal offices for some papers. I could see he was doing that out of the love he had for his son. I do not think the murder was intentional. As the leadership, we are still in shock and saddened by the incident. One death is one too many. We are only leaders when we have people under us. We are pleading for peace in our village,” she said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson Capt Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident, saying they arrested the 70-year-old father on a charge of allegedly murdering his son. Dathi added that the father will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate Court in due course, and investigations are continuing.