The community of Tshiozwi and the family of the late Stephens Ramaligela reacted with outrage after the murder case against a 25-year-old man was provisionally withdrawn in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 3 March. The man had been arrested in connection with Ramaligela’s fatal stabbing over the weekend.
The 49-year-old Ramaligela was stabbed to death at a local liquor outlet on Saturday night. According to Vhembe police spokesperson Capt Vuledzani Dathi, the incident occurred at about 22:00. An argument allegedly broke out between the deceased and the 25-year-old suspect, leading to a violent fight at the tavern. Ramaligela was stabbed in the chest and back and died at the scene. The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.
On Tuesday, the 25-year-old man was released after the murder charge against him was provisionally withdrawn. This infuriated local residents, who threatened to take the law into their own hands.
According to residents, law enforcement is not doing enough to punish criminals, prompting Ramaligela’s family to question why his alleged killer was freed. A community member said they had resolved to convene a meeting to discuss a way forward following the outcome of the suspect’s court appearance.
In the meantime, some angry residents made it clear that the suspect’s safety could no longer be guaranteed. “We as the community are pleading with the suspect’s family to tell him he is not wanted in the community anymore. We will not feel safe as long as he is roaming the streets. We are also afraid that witnesses in the case would feel threatened and might not feel free to testify,” said villagers who preferred to remain anonymous.
The community said they needed to send a strong message to criminals that crime does not pay.
Ms Dorcus Ramaligela, the deceased’s sister, said the family was heartbroken and had lost hope that justice would ever be served.
“We were a bit consoled when the suspect was arrested,” she said. “But our hopes were crushed when the Tshilwavhusiku Court provisionally withdrew the case against him. We are not happy at all with the turn of events. We had hoped that the accused would be afforded an opportunity to answer for himself in a court of law, but that has not happened. We are not going to take this matter lying down as it is now. We will knock on all doors up to the minister if need be for relief,” she said.
Dathi confirmed that the case was struck off the roll pending further investigations. He, however, added that this does not mean the case is closed. “The accused will be brought back to court once the investigations are finalised,” said Dathi.