MATANGARI – Hundreds of people gathered at Dube Village Royal Palace on Sunday to register their anger about the murder of a fellow villager, who was brutally hacked to death with a garden lasher last month. The gathering came after their traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho-Luvhaivhai Tshivhase was subpoenaed by the Justice Department to give evidence on be-half of the villagers in the case.

Villagers anonymously requested their traditional leader to persuade the judiciary not to give bail to Takalani Ndou, who allegedly murdered Morris Bengwa and seriously injured Joyce Khavhgali, who is still recovering in Donald Fraser Hospital. The story of the gruesome murder was published in the Mirror shortly after the incident.

Ndou appeared at the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was remanded in custody until his case is heard again on March 1.

A villager who did not want his name to be published said the accused is no longer welcome in the village as he did something that belittles the community. “We are afraid that if he comes back, he might commit more murders as there are allegations that there are other villagers whom he wants to kill. Apart from that, Ndou will not be safe, as everyone is angry at him and this could result in chaos as other villagers can take the laws into their own hands.”

Another villager added: “Although everyone has the right to enjoy life, I believe Ndou has gone too far by committing such an awful deed. We are afraid we will no longer be safe if criminals are set free because they will still brutalize our communities. As a community, we do not have room to accommodate individuals like Ndou because everyone is still shocked about his deeds. Several people who saw the incident still need counseling and it will take a long time before they come back to their real senses.”