THOHOYANDOU – Five people, including Mrs Anna Lukoto (54), the wife of a prominent local businessman, have briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, on a charge of murder.

The case relates to an incident that took place at Sibasa on August 26 last year, where Mr Ntakadzeni Makhuvha (28), a prospering businessman, was shot and killed at his house during the night at about 23:30.

Three of the five suspects, Lukoto, Patrick Singo of Mannini Village and Naledzani Samuel Munyai (22) were arrested early last week. They briefly appeared in the same court for the first time last Thursday. They were refused bail and the case was postponed to Wednesday this week for a bail application.

Two more suspects, Eric Mathelemusa (35) of Makwarela and Thanyani Makhado (26) of Phiphidi were arrested over the past long weekend. They joined the first three suspects when they appeared in court on Wednesday. Again, the suspects were not successful in their bail application.

Three of the suspects, Mathelemusa, Lukoto and Makhado were represented by their attorneys on Wednesday. Their legal representatives requested the court to postpone the case to today, Friday April 1, for a bail application. The other two suspects, Munyai and Singo will appear in court again next Thursday, April 7.

Ntakadzeni Makhuvha was the son of the late Ofhani Makhuvha, who was also a well-known businessman in the area.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the Vhembe Area, Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, more arrests are still expected as investigations are continuing.