Please release me, asks Livhu

By Elmon Tshikhudo

Murder-accused

Livhuwani

Madadzhe, fa- mously known as SABC Livhu, does not seem sure whether he wants to be released on bail or not. In the latest twist, he seemingly decided to ask the court to let him out after previously abandoning his bail application.

When Madadzhe appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court for the first time on 30 January this year on a charge of murder, he caused a big stir when he cried and pleaded with the court to release him on bail, so he could go and bury his deceased wife. The court postponed his case overnight to allow him to arrange for his legal representative to be in court.

The following day, the legal representative, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwani, was in court, but the comedian unexpectedly decided that he did not want to continue with his bail application after all.

Some believed it was out of fear of the huge protesting crowd outside the courthouse.

The case was postponed to Thursday, 23 February, and everyone thought he would apply for bail this time. A large crowd comprising different non-profit organisations fighting gender-based violence in Vhembe, political organisations and religious formations marched to the magistrate’s court, again to demand that Madadzhe not be granted bail. However, Hlungwani failed to show up for his client’s hearing and the case was postponed to 30 March.

Later that same day, Hlungwani approached the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court, saying that he could not be in court earlier as he was attending another serious matter in the Thohoyandou High Court. He indicated that his client wanted to apply for bail, and the court granted an extension. The date for the accused’s formal bail application was set for 14 March.

The 38-year-old comedian from Mangondi Sidou stands accused of murdering his wife, Lindelani Nengovhela, and dumping her body in a water-filled trench in his backyard.

Armed robbers caught red-handed, rescued by police and set free

By Victor Mukwevho

Two men who allegedly attempted to rob a spaza shop at Phalama village on Saturday night were rescued from the jaws of death by the police, who interceded just in time.

Three men, one armed with a pistol, were seen by a tenant who lives next to the spaza shop just as they were trying to break into the shop shortly after 20:00. The tenant immediately phoned the neighbours, who quickly rushed over to the shop.

Mr Mmbangiseni Maranda, the owner of the spaza shop, said the businessman who rented the shop from him normally closed at around 20:00 at night. “These thugs knew what time the spaza shop would be closing and took their chance. When they saw community members approach them, they turned and tried to run away. Two of them were caught, but the one with the firearm disappeared into thin air. The community members started to assault the culprits, demanding to know where the firearm was,” he said.

The two suspects who were assaulted by members of the community at Phalama village on Saturday night (25 February). Screen shots from video.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an eyewitness who was there when the incident happened said the suspects had been lingering in the village for at least two days before the failed armed robbery. “They have been staying with another guy from Mulodi village, who is also a well-known thug in the area. They were sitting next to my business premises on Saturday afternoon. They had a lot of tattoos on their bodies and looked very suspicious. One could see that they were up to something just by looking at them. They were very lucky that the police arrived in time. We had already bought petrol and wanted to take them to a nearby donga and burn them alive. Crime is rife in this area. We have realised that once the police arrest them, they get bail after a very short time and continue to terrorise us. We are now going to deal with them ourselves,” he said.

Vhembe’s acting police communications officer Sergeant Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that the police had rescued the two suspects from an angry mob at Phalama village on Saturday night. He said the two suspected thugs were not arrested, as “…the community members did not open a case against the suspects, and the suspects did not open a case against the members of the community for assaulting them, so no one has been arrested”.