Angry community members from Ha-Tshikonelo and surrounding villages such as Basani and Tshaulu gathered in large numbers at the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, chanting and singing that they would take the law into their own hands and burn to death traditional leader Vhamusanda Mudzulathungo Nelson Mmbi (66) and his co-accused, Shumani Luvhengo (33), should they be given bail.
The court postponed the bail application, and the matter was transferred to the Tshaulu Periodic Court for a hearing on Tuesday. The two men were then granted bail of R2 500 each.
A community leader in Ha-Tshikonelo village, Sipho Masia, said that they were disappointed by the decision of the court to release the accused on bail. "We are no longer safe here in our communities after the accused were granted bail. We are also worried that the victim who was kidnapped could be targeted," said Masia.
Masia said that another young man from the village, Steven Phalanndwa, was still missing. He was reported missing on 28 March and has not yet been found. Community members are worried that his disappearance may be linked to that of the alleged kidnapping. Masia said they had reported 13 cases in the village, where some missing persons were not found, while the bodies of others were found with certain parts missing.
Two weeks ago, angry community members set alight the house of one of the accused. A bakery and library were reportedly also set alight in the village.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the police in Tshaulu in the Vhembe region had opened cases of arson and malicious damage to property, following the arson attacks.