Court reserves bail judgment in Malamulele murder case
The Malamulele court has reserved judgment on the bail bid of Charles Phakula, accused of murdering teacher Matimu Chauke in 2019.
LIMPOPO – The Malamulele Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment in the bail application of Charles Phakula, a 45-year-old man accused of murder and carjacking in connection with the 2019 killing of a school teacher.
The ruling was expected on Wednesday this week, and the accused would have remained in custody until then. Phakula appeared in court last Tuesday, seeking formal bail. Outside the courtroom, family members and residents from Makumeke Mxadzi gathered in protest, some holding placards reading ‘Justice for Matimu Chauke’ and demanding that bail be denied.
The deceased, Matimu Chauke (31), was a respected teacher at Tambisa Secondary School in Xigalo village. His cousin, Lorraine Chauke expressed the family’s grief and frustration, saying they are still haunted by the loss. “We don’t want the suspect to be granted bail. The person he killed is never coming back. When we see him, we’re reminded of our beloved family member who loved both his family and his learners.”
During the bail hearing, the court heard that Phakula had been on the run for seven years, making his arrest difficult. He was eventually apprehended by Giyani detectives on August 27 at the Nkowankowa Complex in the Ritavi policing area. Police confirmed he also has previous convictions, mostly related to stock theft.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Malesela Ledwaba, Phakula’s arrest followed an intensive investigation into a carjacking and murder that took place on August 15, 2019 in Makumeke Mxadzi Ville, under the Malamulele policing area.
“Preliminary reports indicate that on the day of the incident, police were summoned to a murder scene where they found a man with gunshot wounds lying on the ground. He was certified dead on the scene and later identified as Matimu Chauke,” said Ledwaba. Following further investigation, and with the assistance of a vehicle tracking company, the victim’s blue VW Polo was found abandoned in the Vuwani policing area several days later.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the arrest.
“This arrest is a reminder that no matter how long it takes, the wheel of justice will eventually catch up with you.”
Police investigations into the case are ongoing. The outcome of the bail application was not known by the time of going to print.
