Hundreds of angry people, mostly women, who marched to the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, went back home happy. The marchers from Tshivhilidulu in the Nzhelele area were demanding that the three men arrested for the murder of a local woman be refused bail.

The marchers were chanting against the abusing and killing of women and later presented a memorandum detailing their grievances to representatives of the court. The local civic chairperson, Mr Nkhoyeni Ratshiedana, read the memorandum, which had been signed by different community structures and the local traditional leader.

In court, Isaac Mamasetla (21), Michael Netshivhilidulu (31) and Lufuno Mukwevho (21), who stand accused of murdering Selina Netshivhilidulu (58) early this year, had their bail application postponed to 12 January 2012. All three, residents of the area, are charged with murder.

In the memorandum that was handed to Magistrate Luckson Ramavhale, the marchers demanded that the suspects be removed from their community. They also demanded that the courts be harsh on the suspects and not grant them bail, as they were regarded as a danger to the community.

Representing the community, Mr Mashudu Sathuma said the community was tired of endless and senseless murders. “We have buried many women over the years in this village and many died under mysterious circumstances. We are here to say 'enough is enough'. So much innocent blood has been shed and we want this to end immediately,” he said.

Sathuma said their village had become like a slaughterhouse, where many had already lost their lives. What worried them most, he added, was that most of the cases where people had been killed remained unresolved. “We do not want more people to die under mysterious circumstances. If these people are granted bail, they might continue with their murderous spree. Let them be locked up forever,” he said.

He said the community did not want to see the suspects again in the village as the community felt that they could continue with their cruel deeds.

The memorandum lists many cases committed over the years, with most of them said to be unresolved. The murders were committed between 2004 and 2011 and most involved the killing of women and children.

Rofhiwa Mukwevho was killed in 2004 by unknown people;
In 2004, Martha Muofhe and her two children were attacked and fortunately they survived, but with scars;
In 2005, Maria Netshisumbewa, who was pregnant, was killed by unknown people;
The following year, another murder made headlines when four children were hacked to death. They were Ndivhuwo Tshilimandila (1), Nnyadzeni (14), Shumani (10) and Lavhelesani (6), all found with gaping wounds on their heads, necks. A bloodied axe was found at the scene;
In 2009, Tshisikhawe Magoda was stabbed to death by unknown people;
In 2010, a policeman killed his wife and her mother, both members of the Magau family.
After receiving the memorandum, Senior Magistrate Luckson Ramavhale commended the marchers for being peaceful. He informed the marchers that bail was a right to every citizen and that they should not confuse bail with the court verdict. “Our constitution says everybody is entitled to bail. We do not only expect marching and singing from you, but we encourage you to come forward with information that will assist in the successful finalisation of the case,” he added.

Magistrate Jonathan Rapudi presided over the case, while Mashudu Nekhumbe prosecuted. Ms Selinah Netshivhilidulu’s body was found in her RDP  house in March, with a gaping wound to her head. It is alleged the suspects killed her after suspecting her of practising witchcraft.