The 26-year-old suspect in the murder and attempted murder case at Duthuni stunned the Thohoyandou magistrate´s court when he pleaded innocent and claimed that he had been threatened by police before making a confession that implicated him in the incident.

Fhatuwani Mamidzane of Tshisahulu –Thondoni was making his second appearance after being arrested in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Phathutshedzo Nedambale and the attempted murder on her sibling Mulalo (9), two months ago.

Before his appearance, a crowd of protesters had gathered outside the court, shouting slogans, calling for the accused not to be given bail. The placard-carrying marchers started their march from the local stadium, through the streets of Thohoyandou, before reaching the court. They later handed a memorandum of their grievances, calling for the denying of bail to the accused.

Mr Eric Mathephe, secretary of the Tshivhambe traditional council, said they had come to make it clear that they were opposed to the accused´s being granted bail. He said the accused had confessed that he had a demon that needed blood time and again, which meant if he were to be released he could kill again.

He said the residents were very angry and if he were released, his safety could not be guaranteed; they could be tempted to take the law into their own hands.

Thohoyandou Court House head, Mr Willy Mudau, accepted the memorandum and said he was sad that only a few young people had come to raise their concerns. He said it went to show that young people were the ones concerned about the killing of their friends. He told them everybody should follow the law and they should understand that the constitution allowed for the accused to be granted bail if there was not sufficient evidence to the contrary.

He urged witnesses to avail themselves to testify as this could influence the courts. “We don´t want criminals to be given bail, but if there is not sufficient evidence to tighten the case, we are forced by law to grant bail,” he said.

When Mamidzane was called, he was a changed person from the last time he appeared. He stunned everybody when he said he had been coerced to confess to the murder and attempted murder case after police threatened him with violence.

The magistrate told him that he was not there to try the case and that Mamidzane would be given the chance to explain that to the High Court.

He postponed the case to 30 July 2010 for further investigations.

Mamidzane stands accused of the murder of Phathutshedzo Nedambale and the attempted murder of her younger sister, Mulalo of Duthuni two months ago. The incident that left the community in a state of shock happened at an orchard not far from the village when the two siblings were coming from school. The area where the two were attacked is a notoriuos spot where crimes such as killings, rapes and attempted rapes have allegedly been committed in the past. Mulalo managed to break free and ran calling for help.

She did not receive any help until she reached home and told her parents what had happened.

Bleeding profusely, the innocent little girl directed the parents to where she had left her sister. She was rushed to hospital while the father ran to the scene of the incident. He found the elder sister on the path leading to their home, lying face up with a big stab wound to the chest, which police believe was caused by a sharp instrument .

Mamidane was arrested after police launched a manhunt for the suspect after the litlle girl gave a description of the suspect.