SHE saw her twin sister and her mother gunned down in cold blood in her own home in Mashau Village near Elim last Friday.
The 19-year-old Tendani Mashau was still in shock when she spoke to CV last week shortly after her horrific ordeal. A 20-year-old gr. 12 learner, Hulisani Mathaga, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He had just finished writing his gr. 12 exams at Vhudzani High School.
Mashau said her sister, Tondani, a gr. 11 learner at Maligana High School, allegedly had a relationship with Mathaga, and the two apparently had a baby together.
The twins’ mother, Florence Mashau (39), was looking after the baby when the shooting occurred. Mashau said her grandmother, Dora Mashau, tried to prevent the shooting but was pushed out of the way by the attacker. “I jumped out of the window after the first shot was fired and hid behind the house.”
Her mother was shot outside the house as she was trying to flee.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said it was suspected that Mathaga stole his grandfather, Takalani Mathega’s gun before proceeding to his girlfriend’s house.
Both Mathagas were arrested by the Levubu police.
The younger Mathaga was charged with two counts of murder and the theft of a firearm, while his grandfather has been charged with negligence of a firearm.
They appeared before the Vuwani magistrate’s court and the cases have been postponed to January 7 next year and January 9 next year, respectively.
The murder-accused will remain in custody until his next appearance while his grandfather, who is a former police official, was released on warning, Mulaudzi confirmed.
Limpopo ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) spokesperson, Joyce Maluleke said she was shocked by the gruesome shooting of mother and daughter.
“The ANCWL in the province condemns this act and calls on the police to leave no stone unturned in investigating this case and ensuring that justice is served.
We would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family of the mother and daughter who were killed, and as the ANCWL we pledge to protect and serve women and young girls as a core value of our mission,” she said.
“What worries us is that this gruesome act took place at a time where the country is commemorating 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.”
Tondani Mashau (19) was shot and killed, allegedly by her 20-year-old boyfriend, in her home in Mashau village near Elim last Friday.
