The Deputy Director in the Department of Finance at the University of Venda, Enoch Maphwanya (55) and six other men are currently appearing in the Limpopo High Court on a charge of murder. The trial drew huge public interest when it started in Thohoyandou on Monday.

The other accused are Victor Makumbane (48), Peter Ralineba (43), Alfred Magadani (58), former policeman Willem Munyai (48) , Simbiso Ronald Ngculu (46) and Takalani Nekhwevha (37). They are appearing for the murder of Tshilidzi Tshilate, who was allegedly assaulted until he died, after sustaining several injuries. They also face attempted murder charges, after allegedly assaulting Fananani Tshifaro several times.

The accused, who are represented by Adv Maele Mushasha, sat quietly throughout the proceedings.

The trial, which started on Monday and is expected to run for several days, is the sequel to an incident that happened at Tshisahulu village outside Thohoyandou in October 2008. During the incident, the accused and injured were allegedly forcibly abducted in full view of people at a local bar and taken to a nearby grinding mill, owned by Maphwanya. The two were allegedly badly assaulted on suspicion of theft.

When the trial started, the court was shown horrific pictures of the alleged assault.

On Tuesday, the sole survivor, Funanani Tshifaro, who is supposed to be in the witness protection programme after appealing for protection because he was fearing for his life, emerged from the police holding cells.

Most of the proceedings of the first days of the trial dealt with the alleged two statements Tshifaro had made under oath. The accused’s defence presented two statements, which the witness allegedly signed on two different dates. Tshifaro confirmed the signatures on the statements as his.

Mashasha argued for the defence that the two statements by Tshifaro appeared to be contradictory. The state objected on several occasions to the line of questioning by the defence, which the prosecutor said, had no relevance to the trial.

All the accused are on extended bail.

The trial continues.