It is not yet clear as to what provoked the situation, however, witnesses say there was a heated argument between the two, that resulted in multiple shots being fired. The owner of the tavern is said to have fled the scene and the customer who was shot died on the scene. Angry community members went looking for the suspect at his home, however, when they could not find him, they set alight two spaza shops, a tavern, and three vehicles that supposedly belong to him.

By the time the police arrived, the damage had been done. The police followed possible leads, which led to the successful arrest of a 36-year-old suspect. The man appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court and his case was postponed for further investigation. He was remanded in custody as he awaits his bail application next Monday. The victim was identified as Vukosi Obedience Chabalala (26).

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The police are yet to arrest any suspects for arson and malicious damage to property. Anyone who has information that can assist in the arrest of the perpetrators can contact the nearest police station. The acting provincial police commissioner, Maj Gen Jan Scheepers condemned the incidents saying: “Those responsible for taking the law into their own hands should be arrested and must face the full might of the law”.