Brother of decapitated Thohoyandou man charged with murder

LIMPOPO – The 41-year-old Dr Mbulayiseni Matshili, who was decapitated by his younger brother, was remembered as a peaceful and loving man of God.

He was laid to rest at his home village’s graveyard in Tshidimbini outside Thohoyandou on Saturday in an emotional funeral that saw family, friends and community members bidding him a final farewell.

According to Thivhilelwi Samuel Madi, the Matshili family spokesperson, Matshili had been a devout churchgoer since his youth.

His murder occurred in the early morning of May 13, when his 38-year-old brother, Avhashoni Matshili who has since been charged, reportedly beheaded him and severely injured his sister and her daughter.

Read more: Thohoyandou man’s head found at the gate of his home

Avhashoni appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court last week where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on June 27 for formal bail application.

“We are devastated by his untimely death. We had high hopes for his future,” said Thivhilelwi Samuel Madi. “He was the firstborn son in the Matshili family, who always took care of his younger siblings. He was also the trusted aide of Prophet Davhana of the Living Waters Church in Mukula village and often preached on Sundays.”

Matshili had an impressive career, starting with IT studies at Vhembe FET College (now TVET College). He worked as a technician at Far North Technical College, as an administrator at Nyahanyelani Primary School in Mukula, and later as a brand manager at Vodacom in Vivo until his death.

Local community leader Vho Khotsimunene Avhakholwi Tshivhase described the scene he encountered on the day of the murder.

“What I saw was disturbing. The suspect was standing near the decapitated head of his brother. This is a big shock to Tshidimbini, as they were known as inseparable and best friends who attended church together just the previous day,” said Tshivhase.

He urged the community to remain united and fight crime.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba confirmed the incident, saying police arrived at the scene after receiving a distress call from concerned residents.

They found the decapitated body and learned that a 32-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter had been hospitalised after being attacked by the same family member.

“The 38-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene. Police seized a hammer, spade, and knife believed to have been used in the crime. A case of murder and two counts of attempted murder have been opened against the suspect. The motive behind the incident is still unknown, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.”

Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembe Hadebe also condemned the incident.

“Such senseless, cruel, and inhumane brutality has no place in our society, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. No one has the right to take another’s life, even with the slightest provocation. We assure everyone affected that justice will be served without fear or favour.”

Reports indicate that the siblings had been living together after their mother’s death, and the accused had complained of being bewitched by his siblings.