A traditional healer, who worked as a pharmacist at Nkhensani Hospital, died in a shoot-out with the police at N’wakena village outside Giyani.

Confirming the incident, Giyani police spokesperson WO Thomas Makhubele said Eddy Rikhotso (57) had allegedly started arguing with a taxi driver on his way home. "It is alleged that Rikhotso demanded that the taxi driver drop him off next to his home, because it was raining."

"During the argument, Rikhotso allegedly produced a gun and opened fire, shooting a passenger in the neck before he shot the taxi driver in the hand," said Makhubele. He added that after the drama, the taxi driver stopped the vehicle and the other commuters ran away. "When we arrived at the scene, Rikhotso had already left. We went searching for him and when we cornered him in the village, he pulled out the gun and shot at us," Makhubele said.

According to Makhubele, the police then returned fire and shot Rikhotso. He said Rikhotso died while being transported to the Nkhensani Hospital, where he worked as a pharmacist.

Makhubele said despite being a traditional healer, Rikhotso also participated in various community structures within the village and neighbouring Hlaneki village.

A relative of the deceased, Elias Rikhotso, said he was speechless, because he knew Rikhotso as a humble person who would not fight with anybody. "Rikhotso usually engaged himself with developmental activities within the community," he said.

Makhubele said they had opened two cases of attempted murder and one of murder. "We are still investigating the actual cause of the quarrel," he said. Rikhotso will be buried tomorrow (Saturday) at N’wakena village.