A war of words has erupted between Makonde Royal Council and Bishop Joseph Ramafamba who was acquitted on ritual murder charges by the Thohoyandou High Court last year.

Ramafamba’s legal representative, Mr Sammy Netshifhefhe said his client has informed him that he is being segregated by the community, even after his name was cleared by the court of law. "My client reliably informed that he is being excluded for certain community services which he is entitled to. The court has taken the decision based on the evidence and all correct the correct channels were followed during the trial. We thought everything would go well, because we were expecting the community to accept my client and rehabilitate him since he was not guilty and discharged. The sour relationship has now widened the gap between the two parties and that is not what it is supposed to be because the case is over."

Netshifhefhe said he is taking the isolation of his client in a very serious light. "How can they say my client lied in court, because he did not say a single word in the trail box during the trail? I have been asked to convene a meeting between myself, the Royal Council and my client, to discuss the matter. How can I do that, as I have already played my role in court? I will make sure that the matter is settled legally, because my client deserves to enjoy life like anyone, especially if he has been cleared by the court of law."

Netshifhefhe said he has already started with the paperwork to defend the rights of his client. "I have written a letter to the Provincial Sanco branch, to find out if the Makonde Royal Council is acting within the framework of the organization. The response from Sanco will direct me on the steps that must be taken thereafter."

Meanwhile, Mr Fulufhelo Nedzingahe of the Makonde Royal Council is singing a different tune. He said they are not prepared to work with Ramafamba, because he told lies in court. "He said his charges were influenced because of the hatred our Royal Council is displaying towards him. He further said we are the ones who coached Nyelisani to say that he took part in the ritual murder, which is not true. We have nothing against him but we are concerned that he lied openly, deliberately and with a purpose, thus tarnishing the image of our good name. He must go back to court and correct his lies if he wants to be accepted by this community. Before he was arrested, Ramafamba was treasurer of the Tshithuthuni Vhakoma Council, which directly reports to us.

We did not hate him and we were working harmoniously with him, before his arrest."

Nedzingahe added that when Ramafamba was granted bail, he went into hiding and never informed them of his whereabouts. "When the case was over, he sent a delegation to tell us that he is back home. How can he tell us that he is back home while he did not tell us when he went into hiding? He has also sent countless people to us to ask for forgiveness in several occasions. Why must he ask for forgiveness if he claims he has not done something wrong? We respect the judgment of the court and we never said he committed ritual murder. We are only worried by his lies, which tented our good name. We will never compromise on that."

Asked if it is true that Ramafamba is excluded from certain community services, which he is entitled to, like being turned away when paying for village funeral society, Nedzingahe said: "I cannot confirm or deny, but the services issue is done on a block level, which then reports everything to us."