Another tavern brawl ends in a death

The police in Tshilwavhusiku are investigating the murder of a 35-year-old man from Manavhela village in the Kutama area, who was allegedly stabbed to death at a local tavern on Saturday night (3 February). The incident occurred at around midnight.

According to Vhembe SAPS spokesperson Sgt Vuledzani Dathi, an argument allegedly ensued between the deceased, Mashudu Chabalala, and the suspect, which resulted in a fight at the tavern. “Chabalala was allegedly stabbed in the chest with a sharp object. When the police arrived at the scene, the victim was lying dead on the ground. The suspect had fled the scene,” he said.

The 17-year-old suspect handed himself over to the police the next day and appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 February. His case was postponed to 12 February for a bail application.

The deceased’s younger brother, Mr Ndivhuwo Chabalala, said the family was trying to come to terms with the senseless murder. “We don’t understand how someone like Mashudu could be killed like that. It is very hard to process,” he said.

The local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Nkhangweni Manavhela, said that young people were now resorting to killing as a way out of their problems. “Something must be done to remedy the situation. Governmental and non-governmental organisations must intensify their campaigns. We don’t want community members to take matters into their own hands, so we have asked the police to also patrol and make our village safe again,” Manavhela said.

Chabalala will be buried in Manavhela village’s graveyard on Saturday, 10 February. The service is scheduled to start at 06:00.

Date:09 February 2024

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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