The death of Morgan Raulinga (41) on Tuesday at a tavern in Maila village has raised many questions about the rising number of killings at or around liquor outlets. Raulinga was shot at the entrance to the tavern, after which the attacker fled.
A witness to the killing, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they were sitting and drinking at the liquor outlet. "We were having a good time and enjoying our drinks when we suddenly heard gunfire from the other side, next to the door of the outlet. It must have been more than five shots. We saw the man with the gun in his hand and realised that someone had been shot," the witness said.
The witness added that the killer had run away after the shooting but had later been handed over to the police.
Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident. He said that the victim had been identified as a local resident. According to Dathi, they had been summoned to the scene following reports of gunfire. "Upon arrival, we found a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene," he said.
Dathi said that preliminary information indicated that the two men had argued. The victim was shot several times at point-blank range before the killer fled the scene.
The deceased's father, Jacky Raulinga, said he had gone to the scene of the crime soon after hearing that Morgan had been shot. Upon his arrival, he found Morgan lying in a pool of blood. By then, Morgan had already been certified dead. Jacky said the family was still trying to come to terms with the tragic incident.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. It is really unacceptable what happened, and we hope that the suspect responsible for his death will face the full might of the law," Jacky said.
Morgan will be buried on Saturday at Maila. At the time of our going to press, the suspect had not yet appeared in court.