A well-known business man, his son and three other suspects appeared in court last Thursday on suspicion that they had caused the death the 30-year-old Solly Makhosa last Wednesday, because they believed that he had stolen a water pump at Maebane last Wednesday.

It is also alleged that a friend of the deceased was injured in the incident.

The mother of the deceased, Ms Johanna Makhosa, said that her son, Solly Makhosa, and his friend were suspected of having stolen the water pump of the suspect. “He came to our house and accused Solly of stealing the water pump at his orchard. While we were still talking to him, he started to beat my son. He was joined by four men with knobkieries and then the suspect took my son to the bush”.

It is alleged that the victim was severely beaten. The suspects allegedly hanged Makhosa from a tree and lit a fire underneath him and burnt his legs.

Makhosa was admitted to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital and later transferred to provincial hospital in Polokwane, where he passed away.

The Tshilwavhusiku SAPS spokesperson, Insp Steven Mammburu, confirmed that they had arrested five men and opened a case of assault, which was later changed to murder. A businessman, James Raphasha (48), his son, Lavhelesani Raphasha (19), as well as Mashudu Mavhusha (44), Collen Muthivhi (34) and Rodney Mavhusha (30), appeared in court in connection with the case last Thursday and has been remanded in custody. The suspects will appear in court again on November 10 for a bail application.