Last Thursday evening, angry community members of Kutama set alight two police vehicles, a tavern, a spaza shop, four houses and two vehicles of one of nine suspects who community members allege are involved in the “ritual murder” of Mavhungu Ramadzhamba of Tshikwarani Ha-Kutama.

The community felt that the police were reluctant to arrest the suspects, whom they believe to be members of the community.

The previous night, the community started blocking the main road from Madombidzha to Kutama. As if a spell were cast on them, residents ran amok, barricading roads with burning tyres, scrap metal, dustbins and wood.

On Thursday, it became apparent that some people had taken advantage of the situation during the riots and looted a spaza shop and tavern in Manavhela village. They had allegedly also damaged the main gate to the home of Mr Prince Ratipa before burning down the five-room house and two cars. The crowd then vented their anger even further and burnt down two police cars.

According to Ratipa, everything inside the house was burnt to ashes. “Clothes, beds, blankets, a BMW X5 and Golf and bank cards, the stove, fridge and all the furniture were destroyed,” he said. The fire also damaged the roof and the walls of the house. According to Ratipa, the damage to his property is estimated to be more than R6 million.

The Kutama royal council spokesperson, Vhamusanda Vho-Ntanganedzeni Kutama, called for calm in Kutama and requested community members who might have information regarding the case to contact the police. He appealed to the community to leave the school children alone to go school.

The police arrested 93 suspects and 32 appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court last Friday. The minors were released by the police.

On Tuesday 46 appeared in court on charges of arson, public violence, theft and malicious damage to property. They were released and warned to again appear in court on 7 April.