Five of the seven suspects who were arrested by the Levubu police for allegedly shooting and killing an 18-year-old man at Ha-Mutsha village a week ago briefly appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate´s Court last Tuesday.

The suspects, Tshifhiwa Mashamba (36), Aluwani Mulaudzi (21), Tshilidzi Sigwadi (32), Tshimangadzo Nemudzivhadi (29) and Victor Mavhoya, have been charged with murder, after allegedly shooting and killing Johannes Mulaudzi at his home in the village. The police had initially arrested seven suspects in connection with the case, but two of them, Lufuno Ranwedzi (21) and Fhatuwani Mbedzi (21), were released as there were not directly linked to the incident.

The two have now turned states witnesses. "We released the two suspects as they were not directly linked to the incident, and we really apologise for any inconvenience caused," said Levubu police spokesperson WO Solly Mukhola.

The victim, Johannes Mulaudzi (18), was at home when the five suspects visited his place where they allegedly shot him in the head in front of his family members. Mulaudzi died on the scene. According to the police information, the suspects were drinking at a local tavern, when Mulaudzi allegedly came in and drank their beer. The suspects started fighting with Mulaudzi, who allegedly then ran to his home in the village to hide. The suspects allegedly forced Mulaudzi´s friends at gunpoint to show them where he was staying.

The case was postponed and the suspects will appear in court again on April 20 for a bail application.

His family is still shocked and traumatized about the incident. Mulaudzi is the second person to be killed in the same village this year. Another victim, Mr Fhatuwani Mashau (23), was stabbed and killed at a tavern in the village three weeks ago.

Mulaudzi was laid to rest at the Ha-Mutsha cemetery last Saturday.