Two families – one at Hamutsha Tshitandani and the other at Tshifulanani Fhasi Ha Bada – are still reeling in fear after a violent incident involving a jilted man who allegedly attacked his estranged girlfriend's father and later attempted to break into another relative's home.
The suspect, unable to accept the end of his relationship, allegedly assaulted 74-year-old Mr Lucas Masutha after demanding to see his former partner. Masutha reportedly told the man that the woman was not home. The suspect then allegedly attacked him with a range of weapons, leaving him seriously injured before fleeing the scene.
The incident began at Hamutsha Tshitandani on Wednesday, 23 April, at around 20:40, and continued in the early hours of the next morning at Tshifulanani Fhasi Ha Bada. At around 02:00, the man allegedly attempted to break into the home of his aunt, Ms Rebecca Musetsho.
"He had already opened one of the windows and placed a chair to help him climb inside when he was disturbed by my brother and members of the community," said Musetsho. "With the help of the community, they arrested the man, whom we later identified as a relative. He had earlier on threatened to attack people because his girlfriend was breaking up with him."
Musetsho said her mother had tried to reason with the man and convince him to resolve the situation peacefully. "When he arrived at our home, he had a bag filled with sharpened pangas. We called his girlfriend, who confirmed he had attacked her father. We are in shock. We suspect he came to silence us as he knew my mother would tell the truth," she said.
Mr Saddam Masutha, family spokesperson and deputy chairperson of the Makhado Community Safety Forum, expressed outrage at the attack. "We are calling on the justice system not to grant parole to such people. We heard he also burnt a house and was chased away from Habudeli and Tsianda. He must just rot in jail," he said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident and said a case of attempted murder was being investigated. "We can confirm that an old man, aged 74, was found lying on the floor unconscious with multiple wounds to the face, head, and both hands. The victim was taken to a local hospital," said Dathi.
He added that the victim was alone at home at the time, and a neighbour alerted the police. "It is alleged that the suspect is the boyfriend of the victim's daughter. The victim told him his daughter was not at home, and he then attacked the old man. The weapon used in the attack was not found at the scene," said Dathi.
The police later tracked the suspect to Lwamondo village, where he was positively identified.
The 46-year-old suspect, Ndifelani Percy Mulaudzi, appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Friday, 25 April. The case was postponed to 12 May. Mulaudzi remains in custody.