One person died, while four others sustained serious to minor injuries when a 33-year-old man allegedly ran them over intentionally with his car at Khalavha village. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning (16 April).
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect, identified as Phodzo Rausina, approached the five victims, who included the mother of his children, her new boyfriend, her friend and her friend's boyfriend, and another male friend.
The victims were walking home along the R523 Road, returning from a local shebeen, when Rausina approached them. He insisted on speaking with the mother of his children, but they ended up fighting. Seeing that he was outnumbered, Rausina got back into his black BMW and drove straight up to them, running them over, then fleeing the scene. Later that same day, he handed himself over to the Siloam Police.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the incident and the death of one male. The police denied the rumour that had been circulating on social media that the suspect had first shot at one of the victims. According to the police, the suspect did not have a firearm on him.
Rausina appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, 17 April, on a charge of murder and four counts of attempted murder. His case was postponed until 2 May for a formal bail application. He remains in custody.