A 43-year-old suspect, Mr Nnditsheni Mafenya, who was arrested for allegedly killing his mother last month, was granted bail when he appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate's Court last Tuesday (17th).

Mafenya was, however, sent back to custody after failing to pay the R2 000 bail. The family has described the bail application as vague and a miscarriage of justice.

Mafenya was apprehended shortly after the death of his mother, Ms Rosina Tshamano, last month. He allegedly beat and stabbed her and left her for dead. She was later transferred to the hospital, but died a day after her admission from the immense loss of blood during the incident.

A family member, Mr Lufuno Itani, said that Mafenya told the court that he had a family and children to look after and that he was staying with his spouse in Manieni village outside Thohoyandou. “He is a threat not only to the family, but also to the entire society. If he is released, who knows what similar crimes he may commit,” he said.

Lufuno said the suspect was arrested several times before and released. “We don't know that he has a family to look after. He was arrested before 1994 for allegedly killing a white man back then, but was released on amnesty,” he said.

He said it was fortunate that Mafenya could not raise the money for his bail. “At least it is a relief to us (family members). We don't know if he could come back and terrorise our family,” he added.

According to the police, Mafenya did not pay the bail amount and he was sent back to prison. “He will go back to court again next month (July 30)," said Mphephu SAPS spokesperson W/O Lazarus Netshidzati.