ITSANI - Angry residents of Itsani were recently protesting against the bail application of a foreigner who allegedly stabbed and killed a villager at Itsani.

The accused, Saddam Chikwati from Mozambique, allegedly stabbed a young man, Mr Tshivhangwaho Mulaudzi (24), as he was coming from the Tshililo Bar lounge with a friend on January 22, 2005. Mulaudzi was stabbed to death and Chikwati appeared in the Thohoyandou Regional Court on March 10, 2005. The case was, however, postponed to March 17, 2005, for a formal bail application.

During the protest, a memorandum was presented to Director Justice Tshiisaphungo of the Thohoyandou police. Villagers demanded that Chikwati not be given a bail, not be deported and receive a heavy sentence. They further demanded that all illegal foreigners be deported with the help of police and that all people harbouring foreigners should be arrested.

Dir Tshiisaphungo said the police have been tracing illegal immigrants for many years, but residents are disturbing the police raid because of harbouring them. He appealed to all people to avoid harbouring foreigners.

The deceased’s mother, Mrs Eunice Mulaudzi, said she is not satisfied with the postponement of the case. “I had five children and now I am staying with four because of Tshivhangwaho’s death,” Mulaudzi said.

The deceased passed Grade 12 in 2004 and he was preparing himself to pursue courses at the Vhembe Further Education and Training College (FET) next year.