Cases of burglary, housebreaking, murder, and attempted murder are being investigated by the Thohoyandou police after two suspects allegedly broke into the home of a couple from Gondeni-La Mabilu village, outside Thohoyandou, while they were sleeping. The robbers shot and killed the husband and wounded the wife.
The incident occurred on the night of 12 October, at about 22:20. The local police were summoned after neighbours heard gunshots at one of the households in the area.
Acting Vhembe police spokesperson Sgt Vuledzani Dathi said that, upon investigation, they had found the naked body of the husband, identified as Mr Reuben Musetsho (37), inside the house. He had a bullet wound to his head and chest. He was already dead. His wife, Ms Munyadziwa Ratshilumela (33), also had a bullet wound to her chest, but she was still alive and rushed to hospital. The suspects had by then fled the area and no vehicle was spotted.
Ratshilumela told the police that they were asleep when they suddenly noticed the bedroom door being opened. Two suspects entered their room; one was armed with a firearm and one with primitive tools (like a pick). They allegedly demanded the couple's cellphones, and the next moment, shots were fired.
According to an anonymous source who knew the deceased well, Musetsho came from a good home, was raised in his father's church, the Doctrine Apostolic Church in Gondeni, and went to church every Sunday. "But things took a turn about two years ago when he stopped going to church and got mixed up with some bad people. We heard stories about him being involved in crimes like burglary and theft. We tried to warn him to stop, but he would not listen to us. We suspect that he might have been killed out of revenge for bad things he had done," the source said.
At the time of our going to press, no-one had been arrested in connection with the incident yet. Police investigations continue.