MULIMA – A resident of Mulima Village, Mr Muladelo Patrick Ramavhugela (39), will spend the next 35 years in jail. His murder trial was finalised in the Venda High Court last Thursday.

The incident relating to the case took place at Mulima village in the Maake area during the night of 12 March this year at about 22:30.

The court heard that the deceased was in the company of friends when the incident took place. They were drinking sorgum beer at a local drinking place. While busy drinking Ramavhugela arrived at the scene. After a short discussion with the deceased, a heated argument started between the two men.

The court heard that the centre of the argument was that the accused was accusing the deceased of going public about the money that the accused was owing the deceased. During the argument the accused lost his temper and produced a tomahawk.

He then started chopping the deceased on the head and chest. The deceased fell down and lost consciousness. Although the deceased was almost dead at that stage, the accused further produced a knife and stabbed him several times in the chest and throat.

He died on the spot. The accused was arrested a few days after the incident. He appeared in the Tshitale Magistrate's Court several times before the case was transferred to the High Court.

The deceased and the accused were cousins.