A 20-year-old resident of Mashau, Hulisani Makhaga, briefly appeared in the Vuwani Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday on two charges of murder.

The case relates to an incident at Ha-Mashau on 31 November last year, where Ms Florence Mashau and her 19-year-old daughter, Tondani, were shot dead.

Makhaga has also been charged with theft out of a motor vehicle and attempted murder. It is alleged that he stole his grandfather’s firearm out of his vehicle. The case was postponed to 6 February for further investigations and he remains in custody.

Meanwhile, his 68-year-old grandfather and former police officer, Mr Takalani Makhaga, who has been charged with negligent handling of a firearm, appeared in court and the case was postponed to 7 February.