Thulamela Mayor, Vhamusanda Vho-Thivhulawi Makumbane, is under siege following the attachment of his property by the sheriff of the court who wanted to recover outstanding money.

The action follows a succesful lawsuit initiated by the Nekhwevha family. According to the family spokesperson, Azwifarwi Maphwanya, the family successfully sued Makumbane, also a traditional leader for Tshisaulu, for R108 000. This is the amount the family incurred during the court cases they had against Makumbane when the latter was refusing the family permission to bury their member in their sacred place, Tshiendeulu.

Makumbane had his car attached by the sheriff of the court on December 11, at Mamatho Complex when he was trying to make an arrangement with the attorney of Nekhwevha family on how he will pay the money that was demanded by the family. This happened after the other respondents, Mulatedzi Magadani and Victor Makumbane had their properties attached on December 08, last year. The sheriff was also to attach the property of the fourth respondent, Khathutshelo Makum-bane.

Maphwanya says the car was kept by the sheriff from the 11th until the 19th of December when the mayor, Makumbane, paid R20 000 as a deposit.

“He also promised that he will make a first installment of the R88 000 balance in February.

“This was after he raised a concern that he would struggle to pay in January, this year, as he is supposed to pay school fees for the children,” says Maph-wanya.

No comment was available from the mayor at the time of go-ing to press.