Nearly four months after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) promised to reinstate murder charges that were provisionally withdrawn, the family of a murdered Tshaulu man say the justice system has failed them.
Mr Norman Tshinakaho (23) was found brutally murdered near a local bridge in Tshaulu, outside Thohoyandou, on Sunday, 14 July 2024. His father, Mr Alfred Tshinakaho (83), said the family was heartbroken and had lost hope that justice would ever be served. "We were a bit consoled when two suspects were arrested," he said. "But our hopes were crushed when the Tshaulu Periodical Court provisionally withdrew the case against them on Tuesday, 25 February."
The suspects, Mr Langanani Enoch Nemukula (44), and his wife, Ms Mashudu Tshibubudze, were released, and the family has heard nothing since. "When we heard about the withdrawal, I felt as if a part of my body had been cut off. The investigating officer told us it was only temporary, but four months have passed and nothing has happened. I'm an old man, and this is putting a strain on my health. It pains me to see the suspects walking around freely. To make matters worse, they held a big braai to celebrate and even boasted that they were cleared. We feel abandoned by the justice system. Even the investigating officer no longer updates us. I just want justice, closure, and answers about what led to my son's murder," said Tshinakaho.
Limpopo NPA spokesperson Ms Chegofatso Mabanna confirmed the case was struck off the roll, pending further investigations. "DNA and ballistic results are still outstanding, but the case is not closed," she said. "The accused will be brought back to court once the Director of Public Prosecutions decides whether the matter will be tried in the regional or high court."