'We don't want the media in court,' demand murder accused

Chaos erupted in the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou on Monday, 20 March, as the trial of the Radzuma brothers, who stand accused of the murder of the two slain SAMWU officials from the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), finally started.

Ronald Mani (50) and Timpson Musetsho (50) were gunned down in February 2019 for allegedly being too vocal about the illegal investments made by the municipality in the now liquidated VBS Mutual Bank.

Limpopo High Court Judge AML Phathudi explained to the three accused, Simon, Percy and Ndivhuwo Radzuma, that Court B was filled to capacity by members of the community, relatives of the deceased and various media representatives as the matter was of public interest. This caused a delay in the proceedings.

Judge Phathudi asked the accused about their legal representation and all three replied that they needed the support of Legal Aid South Africa. Their next appearance was postponed to 29 May, to allow the accused to appoint their lawyers. The three were remanded in custody.

Simon Radzuma (accused number 1) raised a point of order and told the court that they wanted the media representatives to excuse themselves from the case, accusing them (media) of being biased when reporting on their case.

In response to Simon’s request, Judge Phathudi answered: “These media representatives who are here to cover the court proceedings, have applied to be here and are doing their jobs. So, if you don’t want them to cover the case, you too have to apply for it.”

Mr Hulisani Mani, who represented both the Musetsho and Mani families, strongly criticised the accused for slashing the media, who only act as mouthpieces of the communities. “We need the media coverage, so that those who cannot attend the court proceedings can stay informed on what is happening. You (accused) must tell us who the kingpins behind the murder of our beloved relatives are, instead of blaming the media, who are only doing their job.”

Mani said they were praying day and night that, eventually, those who had paid the killers would finally be arrested.

Meanwhile, the Radzuma brothers’ co-accused, Thabo Sibanze, appeared in the Sibasa Regional Court on 13 February on charges of intimidation and of being in the country illegally. His case was postponed to 2 May.

Date:24 March 2023

By: Silas Nduvheni

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