Traditional leader disappointed by suspended sentences for arsonists

The victims in an arson case were fuming after the court issued suspended sentences to 12 of the people who set fire to their property in 2015.

The acting traditional leader of Halambani village, Vhamusanda Tshidino Patrick Lambani, and his aide, Vhakoma Thivhulawi Rasilwela, left the Sibasa Regional Court in disbelief last Thursday (4^th) after the sentencing. Out of the 13 people charged with arson and malicious damage to property, 12 were found guilty and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, but it was suspended for five years, on condition that they are not found guilty of similar offenses.

The case stems from an incident back in 2015 amidst a leadership struggle at Halambani. In 2014, Edson Lambani was removed as the traditional leader of the area and replaced by Tshidino Patrick Lambani, who was asked to serve as acting traditional leader. The decision to remove Edson was taken by the Mphaphuli dynasty and the Lambani royal family.

Not everyone in the community agreed with this decision, however, and the situation became volatile. A group of residents then marched to Tshidino Lambani’s house, setting it on fire. Some of his vehicles were also damaged by the group.

After the arson incident, 13 people, most from the Lambani royal family, were arrested and appeared in court. The case, however, dragged on for several years. The case served before judge Mashudu Munzhelele. In her ruling last week, she acquitted one of the suspects, but the others all received a seven-year suspended sentence on the charge of arson. They received a further three-year sentence for malicious damage to property, but this sentence was also conditionally suspended.

According to Vhamusanda Lambani, he was confident that the people who had damaged his property and vehicles would be severely punished, especially after he had told the court how much the damages amounted to that he had suffered.

“I’m a recognised acting traditional leader here in Halambani village, but since I was put in leadership, children and grandchildren of the dethroned Edson Lambani are fighting with me, saying I have taken the seat of the former ruler, Edson Lambani. We are at each other's throats since I was given power, but I don’t fight with them. I don’t bear grudges to anybody. I’m a peaceful person,” said Tshidino Lambani last week.

He said that he would not let the matter rest. “It seems the courts are encouraging people to commit acts of public violence and further damage people’s property, knowing that later they will be freed,” said Vhamusanda Lambani.

Date:11 April 2024

By: Silas Nduvheni

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