Bail for Chief Mulaudzi and others

Eight people, among them leaders of the Pro-Makhado Demarcation Task Team, suspected to have taken part in the attack before Christmas at the properties of Chief Ramathithi Nevu, his sister Joyce Matamela and Chief Carlson Nemaridili Tshitavha, were granted bail in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Two of the accused, Chief Wilson Mulaudzi (74) and Mr Gerson Kharidzha, were granted bail of R2 000 each the previous week for the same charge. The six others applied for bail on Thursday, 7 January, and their case was postponed to the 12th for a formal bail application.

When the application resumed on Tuesday, supporters were swarming all over the court premises and it was not immediately clear as to whom the crowd was supporting as there were relatives and friends of the accused and the victims. Some were standing at the door at the entrance to the court.

Among those suspected of having taken part in the attacks is Pro-Makhado Demarcation Task Team leader Arnold Mulaudzi, who led countless marches and protests against the incorporation of some parts of Vuwani into the new municipality that will form part of Malamulele. Mulaudzi (34) was granted R10 000 bail. Messrs Calvin Tshidumo (38) and Aluwani Siphoro Mulaudzi (41) were also granted bail of R10 000 each.

The other accused, Calvin Luthada (42) and Shonisani Mulaudzi (46), were granted bail of R2 000 each, while Ndivhudza Mudau (24) was released on warning. They all paid the bail money.

Their case was postponed to 29 February 2016. Their arrest and the subsequent granting of bail follow the daylight attack at Chief Nelson Ramathithi Nevu’s palace at Vu outside Vuwani. It is alleged the attacks are connected to the ongoing chieftainship feud between Chief Nevu and a well-known senior traditional leader in the Vuwani area. The attackers are alleged to be supporters of the senior traditional leader.

They are alleged to have set alight a 15-roomed house belonging to Chief Nevu a few days before Christmas. They supposedly also burnt his two cars and destroyed his chicken run, killing many of his chickens in the process.

They are also alleged to have burnt Chief Nevu’s sister’s property, which included a house and a car, before moving on to demolish Chief Carlson Nemaridili Tshitavha’s palace and burning a caravan there.

All the incidents are alleged to have occurred in broad daylight when more than 50 people allegedly bussed there indiscriminately attacked their targets. The attacks were widely condemned as victims claimed that they were attacked while the police looked on and did nothing to stop the attacks. The police vehemently denied this allegation and, to show that they were not taking sides, went on and swiftly arrested the suspects.

Sources close to the matter said they were shocked to hear that the accused were able to pay the bail imposed on them. "We feel the origin of the money should be made public as we believe the suspects could not raise it themselves. Somebody with lots of money is behind the payment," the source said.

News - Date: 18 January 2016

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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