Another suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of the late Collins Chabane mayor, Moses Maluleke. Thirty-year-old Tshianeo Munyai from Duthuni is the fifth suspect linked to the murder and the third who hails from Duthuni village. Munyai, who was arrested last Tuesday (6th), is also linked to the killing of a prominent Thohoyandou lawyer in January this year.
Both Shumani Nemadodzi (47) and Avhatakali Mulaudzi (42) – the first two suspects who were arrested a week after the murder - hail from Duthuni village. Isaac Mudau (36) and Wiseman Baloyi (36) were arrested two weeks later.
Munyai first appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate's Court on Monday, 12 September, where he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Besides these, he is facing charges for a string of other serious and violent crimes, and has also been linked to the murder of a prominent lawyer, Mmbambadzeni Manwadu, who was shot and killed at his home in January this year.
During his brief appearance, Munyai was asked if he had a lawyer, to which he answered in the affirmative. Asked where his lawyer was, he said he had not contacted him as he had not known he would be appearing in court. His case was postponed to 19 September, to give him time to notify his lawyer. He will be joining the other four accused, who have already abandoned their bail applications, in custody.
Unlike the previous appearances, the entrance to the court was empty this time. Even the inside of the courtroom was quiet, with only family members, a few ANC members, as well as the newly elected mayor, Cllr Shadrack Maluleke, present, who called on the police to fast-track their investigations as residents feared for their lives.
The Maluleke family spokesperson, Mr Humphrey Mugakula, said the latest arrest brought hope to the family that justice would be served, so that the family could find closure at last. "We need closure in this matter, and this will never happen when the big fishes are still swimming freely out there," he said.
The arrest of Tshianeo Munyai was also welcomed by the family members of the late Mr Mbambadzeni James Manwadu (46), a lawyer attached to the Legal Aid South Africa board in Thohoyandou. He was gunned down in front of his home in Maniini Block K on Sunday, 16 January, at about 20:30.
The Manwadu family members are optimistic that the truth will finally come out as to why Mbambadzeni was killed. The murdered lawyer's sister, Ms Christina Manwadu, said the killing of her brother had been a very painful episode in their lives.
"The arrest came as a bit of a relief to us as a family. We have been waiting since January for this news, and we now feel the whole incident will unfold as we believe he was not alone in the commission of this crime. We also need answers as to why he was killed," she said.
Christina explained that the circumstances surrounding her brother's death were strange. "His valuables, including cash, were left intact and this left us with no doubt that they only wanted his life," she said.
She said that Manwadu's death had left the family without a father figure. "His elder brother, Dr Livhuwani Manwadu, passed on in 2017 and he took over as a father figure in the family. He was supportive in all aspects, and the worst part of it is that his four children are now without a father," she said.
"Hopefully, the questions we have will be answered bit by bit," Christina added.