This week started with a huge shock for the residents of Midoroni village, after the body of Mr Aifheli Freddy Khalushi (58) was found dead in the bushes by pupils who were going to school on Monday morning.

The traumatised pupils then alerted Khalushi's family, who called the police. Although the cause of his death is still not known, residents suspect that he was murdered.

The station commander of Tshilwavhusiku Police Station, Col Freddy Shirinda, said that when the police arrived at the scene, they inspected the body, together with members of the family. “The body had no wounds and the cause of his death is still not known," he said.

Shirinda said that the police have opened an inquest docket, following the incident and investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of Khalushi's death. "The post mortem will determine if there was any foul play," he added. The result was not yet available at the time of going to press.

Shirinda warned residents who are alleging that the man might have been murdered. He said that people must stop pointing fingers. "Anyone with information regarding what has happened must just call the police and furnish us with the information. We do not even want those people to reveal their names. They must just call us and give us the information, and then we will investigate," said Shirinda.

Khalushi's right shoe was found more than 500m away from the scene where his body was found. He was known as "Silver" in the village and is depicted by many residents as somebody who was very polite and never quarrelled with anyone. "He was a good man and did not deserve to die like this," said members of the community.

Close family members and relatives were very emotional and broke out in tears when Khalushi's body was being taken away from the scene by the forensic pathologists. A brother of the deceased, Mr Vhumbani Khalushi, said that the way the man had died affected the whole family. "We are worried and still traumatised about the incident. We were greatly saddened about his death," he said.

He added that his brother was healthy. "I was with him on Sunday, the day before he was found dead. It really pains me a lot," said Vhumbeni.

People with information regarding the incident can phone the police at 082 451 7163.