A psychiatric patient, Mr Thomas Ngobeni (38) of Matsi Village in the Bolobedu area, briefly appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of murder. The case relates to a dramatic incident in which a 38-year-old police officer, Insp David Vuma, and a three-year-old girl were beaten to death with a knobkierie.

The incident took place at Giyani Section F on Sunday night, shortly before midnight. Capt Maano Sadike, the spokesperson for the police in the Mopani area, said that the accused was being treated by a traditional healer at Giyani Section F when the incident occurred.

According to the police statement, it alleged that the accused had started running wild, picked up a knobkierie and hit the little girl, Mixo Mashimbye, on the head. Seeing that the situation was out of control, the traditional called the neighbors for assistance.

The first neighbour to arrive at the scene was the deceased, Insp Vuma. The statement indicates that on arrival, the deceased tried to intervene. At that stage, the accused was uncontrollable. He allegedly hit the police officer with the same weapon on the head. He died at the scene and the little girl was taken to the nearby Khensani Hospital for treatment, where she died the following morning. Insp Vuma was stationed at Giyani police station.

Ngobeni was not asked to plead when he appeared in court on Tuesday. The case was postponed until January 9 next year. He will be in custody until the next court date. The police are investigating the matter further.