Senior traditional leader in court on charge of assault

A senior traditional leader, Thovhele Tshedza Netshimbupfe, appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court last Tuesday (19^th) on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). He is accused of assaulting his younger sister’s boyfriend, who was visiting her and some family members.

The incident dates back to March 2023. The man allegedly sustained injuries to his face during the altercation. He reported the incident at the Vuwani Police Station and laid a charge of assault.

Netshimbupfe, who is also an advocate, was inaugurated by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu, in July 2022 as the new traditional leader for the Tshimbupfe communities.

According to the information currently available, the incident happened on the evening of 18 March 2023. Thovhele Netshimbupfe allegedly confronted the man, who was visiting one of his sisters in the palace. The man had also fathered a child with the sister. Netshimbupfe allegedly proceeded to manhandle the visitor and assaulted him with a bottle, while also shouting and swearing at him.

The complainant in the case is a 35-year-old legal practitioner, Mr Lufuno Musetsho. He alleges that he regularly followed up on the progress in the case but came to the conclusion that some detectives from the Vuwani branch of the SAPS were unwilling to arrest one of their senior traditional leaders. “I then approached the office of the Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of [the] SAPS in Polokwane, and they referred the matter to [the] Vhembe SAPS, where later the suspect was summoned to court,” he said.

Thovhele Netshimbupfe confirmed to Limpopo Mirror that he had to appear in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on 19 March on allegations of assaulting a man. Netshimbupfe further stated that the matter was before the court, and he could not engage further on the matter.

Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident, stating that the Vuwani police were investigating the case, which has been postponed to 21 May.

News - Date: 29 March 2024

Silas Nduvheni

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