The late Mukhethwa Makatu of Shayandima Zone 4, who was allegedly shot and killed by her boyfriend on Sunday, 25 September, was laid to rest during an emotional funeral service that took place at the Shayandima Cemetery last Sunday (2 October). This followed a memorial service that was held for her at her home the day before.
The funeral saw friends, relatives and many members of the Shayandima community come together to give her a dignified send-off. A formal service was held at her home before the mourners proceeded to the local cemetery for the burial.
Addressing the mourners at the funeral, motivational speaker and pastor at the Shayandima Full Gospel Church of God International Reverend Godfrey Ndou called on girls and women not to get into secret relationships that might have fatal consequences. "Do not tell only your friends about a relationship. Please confide in a family member, in case something goes wrong and you do not have anyone to help solve it. Do not ever feel too ashamed to leave a toxic relationship. Abusers are usually very apologetic and sorry after a fight, but they never change. To the menfolk and fathers I say, love your daughters, so that they know what real love is," he said.
On the day of the incident, Makatu's lifeless body was found at a house in Thohoyandou Unit D. She was lying on her back in a pool of blood, with a gunshot wound above her left eye and her body partially covered with a blue blanket.
Speculations about the alleged involvement of Makatu's boyfriend, Mavhungu Mukhavhuli, in the murder quickly started doing the rounds, and the police called him in for questioning. Mukhavhuli told the police that he had left Makatu alone at his house when he had gone to work at around 12:00 that day. He said he had decided to go back home and, on arrival, had been met by the shocking scene, which he had immediately reported to the police.
After the preliminary police investigations, Mukhavhuli (52) was arrested and charged with the murder. He appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 28 September, and his case was postponed to 5 October for further investigations and a possible bail application. He remains in custody.