A resident of Tshidzivhe, who killed his brother in cold blood after an argument, has been sentenced to a long prison term.

Thifhelimbilu Ratshilumela (48) was sentenced to an effective 22 years in prison for the killing of his brother at Tshidzivhe in 2014. His brother, Mr Solomon Ratshilumela (49), had arrived to solve a family dispute.

Out of anger, Ratshilumela produced an axe and chopped his brother on the head. After the attack, Ratshilumela went on the run. He took an axe from his brother's orchard and went around the local villages, threatening to kill people he met.

An intensive manhunt ensued and, through the help of the local community, he was located at Vhufuli, a village far from Tshidzivhe. The community informed the police, who arrested him.

The case was finalised in the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou last Wednesday.

Commenting after the sentence, Thohoyandou police spokesperson Const Avhafarei Tshiovhe said the sentence would serve as a deterrent and praised the investigating team for the way they investigated the case and also commended the community for partnering with the police, which had led to the arrest of the convicted man.