The trial of the man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife at the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ Church in Makonde Shadani last year is set to begin at the Thohoyandou High Court, sitting in Waterfall, on Monday, 4 August.
The younger sister of the late Funanani Mbedzi, Mrs Lienet Mbedzi Mudau, said that although the family was relieved the suspect would finally face justice, they were disappointed that the State had yet to contact key witnesses who had been present during the incident.
Speaking to the Limpopo Mirror on Tuesday morning, Mrs Mudau said she had just spoken to the church's pastor, Past Tshifhiwa Netshapapame, who had confirmed that neither he nor other church witnesses had been contacted by the police.
"This case has been postponed numerous times in the past. Now, it's scheduled to start on Monday next week, yet the witnesses still haven't been contacted," she said. "We are happy that the case is going to start, but we have a feeling it will be postponed again. The witnesses are right there in the church where it happened – why are they not being contacted now? We are tired of going to court for nothing."
Past Netshapapame confirmed that about five members from the church had witnessed the incident and had not been summoned to testify. "I am trying to get in touch with the senior prosecutor to ask about the way forward," he said.
The accused, Mundalamo, was arrested for the brutal murder of his estranged wife, Ms Funanani Patience Mbedzi, on 30 March last year. The victim, who was 42 years old, was a popular choir leader and the owner of Funi's Hair Salon. She was well known in the Khubvi area.
It is alleged that the suspect entered the church at around 18:00 while the congregation was worshipping and fired several shots at her while she was leading a choir performance. After the shooting, he allegedly fled the scene in a silver-grey Toyota Corolla.
Many residents from the late Ms Mbedzi's village of Khubvi and surrounding areas are expected to attend the trial proceedings throughout the week.