The 70-year-old Enos Phalanndwa died in his bedroom on the night of June 20 this year, but to date, the family’s questions about his mysterious death remain unanswered.

According to Phalanndwa’s wife, Muofhe, her husband arrived back at home that fateful night after allegedly visiting a shebeen. He was dropped off by two people who gave him a lift to his home at Tshibvumo Village outside Thohoyandou, “because he was too drunk.”

Muofhe was not at home when her husband returned, but his son, Amos Phalanndwa, helped him to get inside the house, where he went to his bedroom. “When I came back later, I realised that my husband was injured on his forehead, but I took it lightly and we went to sleep. At around 03:00, I woke up to find myself sleeping in a pool of blood. By that time, my husband was sitting in a chair. When I tried to speak to him, there was no answer and after touching him, I realised that he was dead,” says Muofhe, who is still suffering from the shock.

Enos Phalanndwa had serious wounds to his forehead, left hand and below the ribs. A post mortem was conducted, but the results are still to be released. The family is now becoming very impatient and urges the police to supply answers as to what had led to the death.

A local traditional leader, Ndivhuwo Rammbuda, said they had convened a community meeting where the matter was discussed. A task team was also elected to handle the matter. This task team, which includes three traditional leaders, namely Messrs Rammbuda of Matshavhawe, Lucas Mavhungu of Tshibvumo and Lucas Lambani of Tshapasha, met with a police officer known as Captain Ndou at the Mutale police station.

Police spokesperson Inspector Tshilidzi Nyambeni said he sympathised with the family, but he advised them to be more patient. Nyambeni said the family would be informed about the post-mortem results as soon as they came out.