19 people face murder charges following attack on traditional healer in Limpopo
During the attack the traditional healer from Mutele village, his son and two others were stoned and burned to death.
A group of residents from Mutele village outside Thohoyandou, Limpopo face several charges, among them four counts of murder, following the brutal murder of four men, Review Online reports.
The deceased, a traditional healer, his son and two other men, were stoned and burned to death during a mob justice attack on Monday, 1 February.
In a statement, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlaflela Mojapelo said it is alleged the residents had accused the victims of being involved in the disappearance of a man who was reported missing last week after visiting his relatives in the area.
“At the time a missing persons file was opened and a search operation was conducted. Subsequently, the residents went to the homestead of the traditional healer, accused him of being involved in his disappearance and set alight his home and two vehicles.”
During the incident they attacked the traditional healer, his son and two others who were at the house at the time.
“The victims, who have since been identified as Mutshutshu Munyai (59), his son Mushanganyisi Munyai (24), Maphanda Thakhani (26) and Mudzhelele Muvhango (38), were forcefully dragged to the bushes where they were stoned and then set alight and burned to death,” Mojapleo added.
The police were notified and a Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genk Nneke Ledwaba ordered a 72 hour activation plan to hunt down the killers.
“The Public Order Police (POPs) unit was activated and the suspects were traced and arrested at 11:00 on Tuesday, 2 February.”
The suspects, aged between 27 and 37, are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court soon facing four counts of murder, arson, malicious damage to property and public violence. More arrests are still pending and the police urges anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, to contact Warrant Officer Madimabe Mhlavheni at 082 414 2481.
Ledwaba commended the members for their swift response in arresting the suspects and further urged residents to work closely with the police at all times and report crime to their respective police stations.
Mojapelo concluded that 25-year-old Gumani Makhesha, is still missing and that anyone with information about his whereabouts, can contact the 24-hour Crime stop number at 0860010111 or the nearest police station.
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