Two best friends, who were shot dead a fortnight ago, were buried during an emotional, joint service held at Miluwani outside Thohoyandou during the weekend.

The two, Mbulungeni Makungo (19) and Ndivhuho Tshikororo (18), both learners at Ralson Tshinanne Secondary, met their untimely death when they were allegedly shot by a jilted lover of the latter. They were inseparable friends. Makungo and Ndivhuho were gunned down in what was believed to be a love triangle, which both families are denying.

Mourners wept openly during the funeral while many learners fainted. Addressing the mourners, the MEC for Safety and Liaison, Mr Samson Ndou, called for calmness at schools. He said schools have become battle grounds where learners settle scores through knives and guns. He said it saddening to find that learners were being killed at a place they were supposed to be secure and acquiring knowledge.

The school principal, Mr Thanyani Mathivha, said the incident had left many learners traumatized and it would take a long time and specialized counseling for them to recover fully. "We are able to cope with the situation because of your support and we really appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts," he said.

Spokesperson for the Makungo family, Mr Seth Mathagu, said the incident has left the family with sore hearts. He said the family had high expectations from the boy and his death had robbed the family of a good boy who had a promising future ahead of him. Representing the Tshjkororo family, Mr Mashudu Tshikororo said the family was saddened by the incident. He said it was more painful that the girl was still young and had left a small baby who will grow up without the love of its parents. He said the family have accepted what happened and have put everything in the hands of God.

Meanwhile, a suspect, Mashudu Masiagwala (27), appeared in the Thohyandou Magistrate’s Court and was charged with two counts of murder. The suspect said he would seek the help of his family to get him a legal representative. The case was postponed to April 25 for further investigations and Masiagwala remain in custody.