The murder case of the late Collins Chabane mayor, Moses Big Moss Maluleke, has drawn a lot of interest from the local community over the past few weeks. What a lot of people wanted to know, is who exactly are the suspects and where are they from?
Maluleke was shot and killed in what was believed to have been a robbery at his home in Shikundu on 21 July this year. Four suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the murder and charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
When the first two suspects, Shumani Nemadodzi (47) and Avhatakali Mulaudzi (42), both from Duthuni, were arrested, the police announced that it was only a matter of time before more arrests would be made. True to their word, two more suspects were linked to the incident and apprehended a week later. Isaac Avhatakali Mudau (36) and Wiseman Baloyi (36) were arrested at Vuwani and Saselamani respectively on Friday, 12 August.
When Mudau and Baloyi made their first appearance on 15 August, the Malamulele Magistrate's Court was filled to capacity. Angry residents wanted to get a glimpse of the two alleged fugitives but were not allowed inside the courtroom.
Limpopo Mirror did some research on Mudau and Baloyi and found an interesting connection between the two men, besides the fact that they are of the same age and that both are well-known businesspeople.
Isaac Avhatakali Mudau was born at Shayandima and comes from a very religious family. His father, Andries Savhadina Mudau, was a well-respected ZCC priest. He also owned a few businesses. Isaac Mudau relocated from Shayandima and settled at Maniini, outside Thohoyandou, where he presently resides. He is the owner of Vhadau Funerals and Tombstones.
Wiseman Baloyi, on the other hand, is regarded as a very distinguished painter around Saselamani village. It is no coincidence that the two suspects know each other as they are said to be half-brothers. Apparently, Baloyi's mother was married to another man before she married Andries Mudau. Baloyi is said to have been born out of the previous marriage. In the African tradition, Mudau and Baloyi would be referred to as "brothers", even though they were born from different fathers.
The late Moses Maluleke's brother, Humphrey Magakula, said he was very disappointed in Mudau and Baloyi as they were both known to the family. "Wiseman Baloyi grew up under our watch while he stayed at the neighbouring Ntlhaveni Block H village. We know him as a humble person, not capable of what he allegedly did. He was recommended for a painting job at my brother's house and did a wonderful job."
According to Magakula, he was with Mudau weeks before the murder of his brother. "We had a family bereavement, and I sat with him and negotiated the burial prices as we used his company. I was so impressed by his business acumen. It is still very hard for me to believe they could allegedly be so cruel. I am terribly disappointed," Magakula said.
On 25 and 26 August, both Mudau and Baloyi's bail applications were abandoned. They were remanded in custody with Shumani Nemadodzi and Avhatakali Mulaudzi, whose bail applications had also been abandoned. All four suspects are to appear together on 19 September.